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2025 Junior Pan American Challenge Women

2025 Junior Pan American Challenge Men

2024 Central American H5 Championship (Men)

Junior Pan American Challenge

To become a technical official in the Pan American Hockey Federation (PAHF), you typically need to follow a series of steps.   
  
**1. Get Involved in Local Hockey**  
•	Start with Local/Regional Officiating: Before aiming for the Pan American level, you should begin by officiating at local or regional hockey events. This will help you build your knowledge and experience, using the rules and regulations, of what is required of a technical official.  
  
**2. Complete National Officiating Certification**  
•	Join Your National Hockey Federation: Each country typically has its own National Association. Check to see if your NA has an officiating certification pathway that you can follow.  
•	Attend Officiating Courses: Look for courses that will teach you the rules, regulations, and other skills that are necessary to become an official.    
•	Gain Experience: Make yourself available to gain practical experience by officiating at local tournaments, club matches, and regional competitions.  
  
**3. Achieve National Level Certification**  
•	National Officiating Standards: Depending on your country's requirements, you may need to pass exams and evaluations/assessments to reach a certain level.   
•	Complete Required Continuing Education: Stay updated on the rules of the game and other officiating skills through ongoing education and training. National Associations may require officials to re-certify every few years.  
  
**4. Gain International Experience**  
•	Officiate/Observe at International Tournaments: By continuing to be active and participate at your National level, you will become ready for appointments at the PAHF level. If there is a major event in your region, attend and observe to become more familiar with what is expected of an official.  
•	Be Mentored by Senior Officials: Seek out mentors who are experienced PAHF officials. They are always happy to help upcoming officials and can answer questions, provide feedback on your performance, and help you prepare for higher levels of officiating.  
  
**5. Certification as a PAHF Technical Official**  
•	PAHF Certification: Once you’ve gained sufficient experience and training, you can apply for certification as an international technical official through your National Association.  The NA will forward an application to the Pan American Hockey Federation.   
•	International Appointments: Once certified, you are eligible to be appointed as an official for PAHF tournaments.  As you progress through your pathway, you may eventually be appointed to a tournament of the FIH (Federation of International Hockey).  
  
**6. Attend Technical Official Courses/Workshops**  
•	Participate in PAHF or FIH Training:  Once you have been registered as an international technical official with PAHF,  you will receive notices of specific courses and workshops for officials. The workshops will cover various topics, can be offered as in-person or online courses and are very helpful to your development.  Ensure that you take every opportunity to attend.  
  
**7. Continue on Pathway**  
•	Participate in Feedback and Evaluation: After each international event, you’ll receive feedback and a performance evaluation. Make sure to discuss needed areas of improvement with the Technical Delegate as this will help you improve as an official.  
•	Stay Informed on Rule Changes: We know that game of hockey can evolve, and rules or regulations can change. Stay up-to-date with any changes in the game, as well as any updates from the PAHF and FIH.  
  
By following these steps and demonstrating your expertise and commitment to the sport, you'll be on your pathway to becoming a technical official in the Pan American Hockey Federation.  


Becoming a PAHF Technical Official

The Pan American Hockey Federation (PAHF) reaffirms the vital role that nutrition plays in athletic performance. Proper nutrition is essential not only for overall well-being but also for optimizing performance, endurance, and recovery in sports such as field hockey.  
  
Recognizing this crucial aspect, in 2020, renowned nutritionist Luciano Spena developed "NUTRITION IN SPORT," a comprehensive guide designed to assist both professionals and athletes working with hockey teams. PAHF once again highlights the importance of nutrition and reminds National Associations of the availability of this guide in both English and Spanish.  
  
**Nutrition and Field Hockey Performance**  
Field hockey is an intense team sport that demands endurance, strength, speed, and agility. It relies on a combination of energy systems, with the ATP-PC phosphagen system and the glycogen system being the primary sources of energy. However, several factors—including an athlete’s biotype, playing position, and individual style of play—affect their specific caloric requirements.  
Given these variations, a universal dietary recommendation is not feasible. Instead, nutritional plans must be personalized to meet each athlete’s needs. That said, some general principles apply to optimizing energy levels for both training and competition. A well-balanced diet for hockey players should include:  
  
•	A predominantly carbohydrate-based intake to sustain energy levels.  
•	Moderate protein consumption to support muscle repair and recovery.  
•	Small amounts of high-quality fats for overall metabolic health.  
•	Adequate hydration and micronutrient intake to maintain performance and recovery.  
  
**A Personalized Approach to Nutrition**  
With today’s high-performance demands, individualized nutrition is more important than ever. While no single diet can universally enhance performance, incorporating the right variety, quantity, and quality of food ensures that athletes receive the necessary energy to excel. Proper nutritional and hydration strategies can:  
  
•	Delay fatigue during competition.  
•	Improve recovery times.  
•	Reduce the risk of muscle injuries.  
  
Luciano Spena, reflecting on the guide’s development, shared: “I feel great responsibility in structuring this guide. It is designed as a friendly tool for colleagues and a resource for athletes to better understand their nutritional needs. Recognizing the individuality of each athlete, I hope this guide serves as a foundation for advancing sports nutrition across the continent.”  
  
Similarly, Dr. Pablo Feijoo, Chairman of the PAHF Health and Safety Panel, emphasized the significance of nutrition in sports: “The development of nutrition in sports practice is highly relevant. This guide is the result of our commitment to providing useful resources for all those engaged in field hockey.”  
  
PAHF encourages all athletes, coaches, and National Associations to prioritize nutrition as a fundamental component of sports performance. By leveraging the knowledge shared in "NUTRITION IN SPORT", athletes can enhance their endurance, optimize recovery, and prevent injuries—ensuring they perform at their best.  
  
For more information, access the guide in English [Link](link) and Spanish.  


The Importance of Nutrition in Sports

Leading up to the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, which takes place on 6 April, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) will spend the upcoming days celebrating hockey’s place in promoting peace and development via a range of projects and initiatives. The stories come from across the five hockey-playing continents, with today’s story coming from Pan America. 

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Venezuela’s Hockey Revival: A Symbol of Sport for Development and Peace

A Symbol of Sport for Development and Peace

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Olympic Games Brisbane 2032

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Final Day Recap - Jr Panam Challenge

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Final Day Set: Glory Awaits

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Emotion and Great Matches

A Symbol of Sport for Development and Peace

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