Umpires' course for Fakenham

27 November 2009

The Norfolk Cricket Board is hoping to train up a new generation of umpires as part of a nationwide drive to address the shortage of match officials.

The NCB, in partnership with the Norfolk Association of Cricket Officials (NACO), have organised two ECB Level One courses in umpiring, to take place in Fakenham and Norwich in the new year.

Cricket development manager for Norfolk, Kieron Tuck, said: “The NCB and NACO will be working hard with a range of partners over the coming months and years to address the issue of recruiting and training new umpires. It is expected to be a major issue in Norfolk cricket in the next few years, as many of the current crop of umpires retire from the game.

“It is also in the interests of clubs to have trained umpires as part of their set-up. This allows them to offer a better quality cricket experience in matches not covered by panel umpires.

“The Level One course can be the first step on a potential career in umpiring as there is the possibility of good umpires progressing all the way through to first class and international cricket,” he said.

“The course is suitable for anyone wishing to become a club umpire and aims to teach the so-called practical laws of the game; that is those that may be encountered on the field of play during the course of a match, plus certain other topics.

This is the basic starting course for all those wishing to obtain a qualification in umpiring and on its own is suitable for a club umpire.

“The course is also suitable for anyone wishing to learn more about the laws of the game and how they are applied, so it is a valuable course for captains and players as well.”

Additionally the ECB Level One A course addresses all those laws and other matters which are not included in Level One. Those wishing to join the Norfolk Panel of neutral umpires are expected to hold the Level One A qualification, which can be taken at the end of the Level One course.

The first course is January 18-February 22 at the Hewett School, Norwich. The second course starts on Sunday, February 14 at Fakenham Cricket Club, with the second and final session on the following Sunday.

Full details and an application form can be found on the NCB website: www.norfolkcricket.co.uk or by contacting Ken Ellis on 01603 891384.