Tennis Ireland Officials (TIO) are launching the Fast Track Umpiring Programme — a brand-new pathway designed to bring new Chair Umpires into the sport and get more people involved right at the heart of match play.
If you love tennis and you’ve ever thought “I’d love to be part of the action — not just watching from the side”… this is your route in.
What is the Fast Track Umpiring Programme?
The Fast Track Umpiring Programme is an accelerated, supported training and match-experience pathway that helps participants progress towards becoming a Chair Umpire — the on-court official responsible for managing matches, applying the Rules of Tennis, and ensuring fair play in a calm, professional environment.
This is a first for Irish tennis, creating a clear, structured way for people to get trained, gain confidence, and step into officiating with real support behind them.
No Experience? No Problem.
You don’t need to have officiated before — or even know all the rules inside-out on day one.
The programme is built for people who are:
- Curious about officiating
- Passionate about tennis
- Reliable and keen to learn
- Looking for a meaningful way to support the game (and get closer to it)
What you’ll get from the programme
Participants will receive a blend of learning, mentoring, and practical match involvement, including:
- Full training provided by Tennis Ireland Officials
- Learning directly from qualified, experienced officials
- Real match experience (the bit that makes the learning stick)
- A clear pathway towards officiating at national — and potentially international — events
As you progress, you’ll build the skills that matter most on court: communication, decision-making, professionalism under pressure, and the confidence to manage matches fairly and smoothly.
What’s the commitment?
This programme is designed to support real progression, so it does require consistency.
- Limited spaces available
- 4-month commitment required
- Enquire for full details on schedule, training format, and match experience opportunities
Why officiating?
Officiating is one of the most direct ways to contribute to tennis — and it’s a role that develops you, too.
Being a Chair Umpire can be:
- A way to stay involved in the sport (even if you’re not playing as much)
- A great fit for people who like structure, fairness, and communication
- A stepping stone to higher-level events
- A genuinely fun “middle of the action” experience — because you’re not watching tennis, you’re running it
Interested? This is your moment.
If you’re ready to learn something new, meet great people in the tennis community, and step onto court with purpose, the Fast Track Umpiring Programme could be a perfect match.
📩 Enquire now for details and availability.
Spaces are limited, so if you’re even considering it, it’s worth putting your name forward early.
