Umpires all out to raise profile

10:23am Wednesday 17th January 2001

Roger Wright discovers the world of cricket is changing after meeting two of the men in the middle

TWO local cricket associations are literally appealing for new members.

Perhaps you have what it takes to be a cricket umpire, but did you realise that many of Englands first-class and test match umpires have never taken an exam to qualify them for the job?

There has been a resurgence in cricket over the past couple of years as more and more youngsters are getting involved, right from the popular primary schools Kwik cricket through to senior school and then at club level.

Michael Coles, chairman of the Metropolitan Kent Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers, and Ray Arrow, president of the Sevenoaks branch of the same organisation, are keen to attract even more youngsters into the game as well as encouraging more people to become umpires.

With more money being invested into the game, they want to see cricket developed, particularly at grass-roots level. But anyone who wants to become a fully qualified umpire had better be ready to go back to school to learn the ropes.

Mr Arrow said: At Sevenoaks, we have been holding umpires courses for the past 16 years, which run for a total of nine two-hour sessions.

After that, prospective umpires have to sit a written test and must achieve 75 per cent correct to pass. Then they have to learn the practical side with two years in the field, gaining recommendations and umpiring in a level of cricket which is acceptable to the association. Only then can they apply to be qualified members.

Meanwhile, Messrs Coles and Arrow have been busy re-progamming their grey cells following 119 amendments and changes to the 42 laws of the game agreed by the ICC (International Cricket Council) last year which come into effect in England when the new season starts.

Mr Coles said: Ray and I have been given the task of holding refresher courses for all our members on the new rules ...... thats after we have learnt them ourselves!

Its not as hard for newcomers wishing to be umpires because most will be learning from scratch.

But did you know that most first-class umpires have never sat an exam?

Mr Arrow said: Up until two years ago, this did not apply to the first-class umpires. They had not qualifiedand most slipped from being first-class players straight into being an umpire after appyling direct to the MCC.

Peter Willey is an example. He never qualified, nor did David Shepherd, John Hampshire or Dickie Bird. Out of all the first-class umpires in England, there are only a handful who have proper qualifications.

Of course, that does not mean they are not top-class at their job, because they obviously are. After all, they still have to know the rules backwards, but it stopped people coming up through the ranks from getting the chance to umpire at the highest level.

Our associations are working hard to get umpires in at the bottom and, hopefully, there will be a direct pyramid to the top so they can have the chance of umpiring a test match at Lords or The Oval, for example.

We never had that opportunity as the highest we could achieve was umpiring Kent second XI matches. Mr Coles will be holding three two-hour seminars for his members at Sidcup Cricket Club, in Sydney Road, on February 1, 8 and 15 starting at 7.30pm.

In addition, he will be hosting two three-hour sessions at Old Colfeians Cricket Club, inHorn Park, Lee, on March 13 and 20, also from 7.30pm, for any other club officials, players, etc, who are keen to become familiar with the new laws. Call Mr Coles on 0208 304 6170 for more information.

Mr Arrow, meanwhile, will be staging his three two-hour members sessions at the Hollybush Bowls and Sports Centre, in Sevenoaks, on January 30, February 6 and 13, from 7.30pm, while the Sevenoaks Community Centre is the venue on April 10, at 7pm, for a three-hour seminar for any other interested parties. Call Mr Arrow on 01732 464857 for more details.

If you would like details of future umpiring courses, call either Mr Coles or Mr Arrow..

EDITOR'S CHOICE

EDITOR'S CHOICE