So David Gentles is perfectly suited to dealing with the intensity of the men's Capital League grand final rematch.

The Wollongong-based official will make a special appearance in Saturday's encounter between Central and Goulburn at the National Hockey Centre.

Gentles is visiting Canberra at the request of Hockey ACT and will hold a three-part seminar on the rules of hockey and his experiences during his illustrious career.

The highlights from 16 years of officiating at the top level include his debut in 1996, two Olympic Games gold medal matches and his farewell in the India v Pakistan match at the 2012 Champions Trophy in Melbourne.

Gentles had to retire from umpiring international games when he turned 47, but the 49-year-old continues to stay heavily involved with the game.

"I could have gone on if I wanted to, but I used all my long service leave, I've got three children and we've never really had a family holiday," Gentles said.

"There's a lot of sacrifices because I've used all my holidays for hockey.

"It's good now that the family can come along when I do seminars with different associations."

Gentles believes the key with umpiring is being consistent with your decisions, but he doesn't put up with any dissent from players.

"There's a difference between abuse and frustration," he said.

"When people overstep the mark and it becomes abuse, that's when you need to deal with it.

"The thing is you've got to earn respect. It doesn't matter what sport you play, you've got to earn the respect of the players.

"It's a two-way street there as well."

SATURDAY: Capital League: Men: Tuggeranong Vikings v Old Canberrans, 1.45pm. Central v Goulburn, 2pm. St Patrick's v Albury, 3.30pm. United v Western Districts, 6.30pm. Women: Central v Goulburn, 12.30pm. St Patrick's v Albury, 5pm.

SUNDAY: Capital League: Women: United v North Canberra, 2pm. Old Canberrans v University of Canberra, 3.30pm. Tuggeranong Vikings v ANU, 5pm

All games at the National Hockey Centre, Lyneham