Beyond the Finish Line: Cookie Tan

Trailblazer Cookie Tan Continues To Chart Her Own Destiny In Hockey

Cookie Tan (yellow top) served as an umpire in the Women’s Hockey Qualifier between Japan vs USA in January 2024. Photo Credit : @fihockey

The sport of hockey was always “in her blood” - Cookie Tan’s story showcases her journey from a national hockey player to an internationally recognised umpire while building a professional career as an educator.

Cookie’s international career with Team Singapore, spanned across 18 years (1994-2012). This included her role as a goalkeeper at both the youth and senior levels. The two key values which Cookie learnt and embraced during her playing days, were teamwork and collaboration. Hockey, being a team sport, requires communication and trust among players. She learned the importance of working together towards a common goal, leveraging everyone’s strengths, and supporting one another through challenges. These lessons proved invaluable in her professional career, where projects often involve cross-functional teams and require effective collaboration to achieve.

Cookie Tan with her fellow Team Singapore hockey players in 2011. Photo Credit : Cookie Tan

Cookie’s journey with Team Singapore also instilled in her perseverance and resilience. She faced numerous setbacks, injuries, and defeats, which taught her to bounce back from disappointments. In the professional world, challenges and setbacks are inevitable, such as missed deadlines, failed projects, or organizational changes. The resilience she developed through sports equipped her with the tenacity to face these challenges, handle criticism constructively, and maintain a positive mindset.

“Hockey has instilled in me, a strong work ethic, discipline, and a competitive spirit – qualities that are instrumental in driving my professional success. The lessons learnt have shaped my character and provided me with a robust foundation to thrive in diverse professional environments, adapt to changing circumstances, and consistently deliver high-quality work,” expressed Cookie.

After representing the nation for the last time in 2012, Cookie turned her attention to umpiring. She couldn’t bring herself to leave the sport entirely and decided to take the less-travelled path of match officiating instead of full-time coaching due to her regular job. Inspired by Lim Hong Zhen, the first Singaporean umpire to make his mark on the international circuit, Cookie chose umpiring and completed her training programs in 2013.

Cookie Tan (black outfit), umpiring at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Photo Credit : @CookieTan

Her debut as an umpire took place a year later. Now, ten years on, she is on the verge of officiating at the grandest stage of them all—the Olympic Games. As she counts down to Paris 2024, she feels a mix of excitement and anxiety. “Being selected to officiate at the Olympiad is a huge achievement, and those butterflies in your stomach show how much we care about doing our best. I am embracing the journey to get there in my best form, focusing on controlling what I can control—game fitness, rules knowledge, mental sharpness,” stressed Cookie.

The distinction of officiating at the Olympics comes on the back of her previous duties at the Southeast Asian Games, the Commonwealth Games, and the Asian Games. With the Olympics added to her resume, Cookie is soon to complete the “Grand Slam” in umpiring. The two key lessons she’s learned from previous major games, which she plans to adapt for Paris, are belief in oneself and maintaining composure under intense pressure.

Just as athletes train for the Olympic Games, match officials are expected to be in top form both mentally and physically. To attain this level of discipline, Cookie hired a strength and conditioning coach in 2022 ahead of her duties at the Hockey World Cup and the Commonwealth Games, bearing these expenses herself without any external assistance.

Singapore’s technical officials at major games do not receive support in terms of pre-Games physical training, physiology/mental training, or nutrition. Yet, they are required to fulfill the fitness testing requirement three times a year from the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to stay active, be appointed for tournaments, and perform well. To gain more exposure and match experience, Cookie also had to make her own umpiring arrangements to travel overseas in 2022, as local matches in Singapore were insufficient to prepare for major games.

Cookie Tan, lecturing her students at ITE in 2024. Photo Credit : Cookie Tan

Cookie currently serves as the Head of Sports Studies at ITE, encompassing academic leadership, faculty management, student experience, and industry engagement. Her role helps create an environment that fosters academic excellence, industry relevance, and student success for her team’s three courses, including a Work-Study Diploma in Lifestyle & Recreation Management.

Her ability to travel and umpire comes with the blessings and approval of her employers. “I am very thankful and grateful for the understanding and support from my colleagues and management, allowing me to pursue my passion. Their recognition of these opportunities for my personal growth and development means a lot to me. The exposure to diverse cultures, the ability to work under pressure, and the chance to hone my decision-making and communication skills are invaluable assets I bring back to my workplace. Their trust and willingness to accommodate my umpiring commitments have been truly remarkable,” highlighted the 42-year-old Cookie.

Cookie Tan with her fellow match officials at the 2022 World Cup. Photo Credit : @worldsportpics

Cookie is content with the chance to continue in the game, possibly by mentoring aspiring umpires. This would be an incredible opportunity to give back to the sport that has given her so much. She can share the intricacies of officiating, the importance of maintaining composure under pressure, and the art of effective communication and decision-making on the field. Cookie believes that there is great potential to enhance the sports ecosystem by focusing more on mentoring aspiring umpires. Through her experiences and current work as an educator in the sports industry, she aims to contribute significantly to the growth and development of the sport. By mentoring, she can share valuable insights and help cultivate the next generation of successful umpires.