Rule 2.6. Officials and Coaches
Blue Book 2026, Part 2, Rule 2.6 · Supplementary Rules
In plain English
Umpires, referees and coaches must be associate members too.
- Nobody may umpire, referee or coach at an affiliated club without being an HPA associate member.
- Coaching of any kind, riding and hitting included, needs a licence unless it is for an immediate family member. Licences run at levels 1 to 4 and require a coaching qualification, first aid, safeguarding, an enhanced DBS check, insurance, the fee and four hours of CPD a year. A separate tactical team coach licence covers anyone paid to coach from the sideline at 12 goal and above.
- Umpires wear the umpire shirt or jacket, normally black and white vertical stripes, with clean whites, polished boots and a compliant helmet - which is exactly why no team may wear that shirt.
- No official may smoke or use a phone during a game, or drink anything alcoholic, or be under the influence of a banned substance.
- Officials should have playing experience at least to the level of the match and no interest in its outcome. No captain or manager may object to a particular official, or to the time or venue.
- The HPA appoints professional umpires and a referee to the 22 goal tournaments, the main Victor Ludorum tournaments, and the semi-finals and finals elsewhere. A tournament may be run with one umpire if the conditions say so or both captains agree, and that umpire still makes the decision even after asking the referee.
- Umpires' discretion covers things the rules do not, such as a goal post knocked down: play on until neutral, and award the goal if the falling post stopped one that was going in.
The clause that governs
No person may umpire, referee or coach any match at or conducted by an affiliated or provisionally affiliated club in the UK or Ireland unless they are an Associate Member of the HPA.
Quoted extract · Blue Book 2026, Part 2, Rule 2.6
2 questions on this rule
Must an umpire be an associate member of the HPA to officiate at an affiliated club?
- Yes ✓
- No, only players need membership
No person may umpire, referee or coach any match at or conducted by an affiliated or provisionally affiliated club in the UK or Ireland unless they are an Associate Member of the HPA.
What should an umpire wear?
- A plain white shirt and any breeches
- An umpire shirt or jacket, normally black and white vertical stripes, with clean white breeches or jeans ✓
- A team shirt in a neutral colour
- Whatever the host club provides
No person may umpire, referee or coach any match at or conducted by an affiliated or provisionally affiliated club in the UK or Ireland unless they are an Associate Member of the HPA.
Test yourself
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Every rule here is stated in our own words, with short quoted extracts from the HPA Blue Book 2026 and Green Book 2025 and a link to the book itself. Polo Rules Test is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with the Hurlingham Polo Association. In any dispute the published rulebook governs.