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Post by swerveman on Jul 9, 2006 21:11:36 GMT
My situation is undoubtedly shared with a large number of colleagues; I passed my GL5 in January, and I have a great desire to pass my GL4 in the coming close season. The big question for me is "Where the Devil do I go to achieve that objective"?
I have no problem at all in admitting that I have joined the ECBOA, and I have no regrets. Faced with what appeared to be the probable demise of ACU&S, with the only other option being a not-yet-formed Institute, it seemed to me the best way forward. I have not resigned from ACU&S, neither do I have any intention of so doing. Indeed, if the Institute comes up with a way for me to gain the qualification I need to move forward in my career, I'll join them as well!
I'd be very grateful for any constructive comments.
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Post by wisden17 on Jul 10, 2006 12:51:08 GMT
Well I too am a member of the ECBOA, and also am proud to be a member of the ACU&S, and am looking with interest to the propsals of the ICUS. I see no problem of being a member of both the ECBOA, and the ACU&S; they both serve the same goal, of helping to train and progress cricket officials.
With regard to what to do for your next steps training wise, I'm lucky that I do not have this problem. I am a Qualified Umpire and Scorer of the ACUS. I've looked at the training plan of the ECBOA and am impressed. I'd like obviously to see more details in the future but the structure appears to be very well thought out.
From reading your comments I am a little confused though. The only 'place' where you can take the GL4 is with the ACU&S, and the ECBOA has qualification based on Levels (1-5), whilst the ICUS is still not publishing its training proposals.
I would recommend doing the GL4, and look to do any available ECBOA training in the winter (you might learn some useful things). The nature of the GL4 is such that you should find it relatively easy if you have been umpiring regularly, as it has questions which are more related to practical umpiring, and includes marks for field-craft.
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Post by swerveman on Jul 10, 2006 22:39:40 GMT
I'm just concerned there is no certainty that a GL4 will be available to me. There are all sorts of rumours going round about the copyright for the training and examinations not actually resting with the ACU&S at all, but with the authors, who have rather more sympathy with the Institute.
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Post by Acumen on Jul 11, 2006 18:46:33 GMT
I understand that examination materials do indeed belong to the ACU&S and it would require a court action to prove otherwise. In that unlikely event, they would revert to the previous material. I feel sure your Regional Examination Officer should administer the examination at an appropriate time. If not, then I would suggest you complain to the then current exams@acus.org.uk or admin@acus.org.uk if that fails.
The Exec Board minutes 06/06/06 do remind all instructors and examiners that ACU&S materials should only be used for ACU&S Courses and Exams.
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Post by swerveman on Jul 11, 2006 22:26:25 GMT
My Regional Examination Officer was Ken Say; my Regional Training Officer was Frank Ratcliffe. I don't think it's quite as easy as you seem to think!
Still, something will turn up!
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Post by kumite on Jul 13, 2006 9:39:20 GMT
:)swervman Do not worry GL4 exams will be available 2006/2007 as will be GL6 and GL5 a bit of patience and contact your REO or Geoff Lowden all is in hand
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Post by swerveman on Jul 14, 2006 22:10:11 GMT
I've had personal assurances from Colin Thorogood and Geoff Lowden that the exams will be available by hook or by crook. The cold pricklies are being replaced by warm fuzzies. Thanks, chaps.
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Post by umpire50 on Aug 24, 2006 17:32:33 GMT
Iam a joint member of ACU&S who has decided against joining ECB OA. ACU&S still caters quite adequately despite the transient financial problems. I can see no point in shelling out for a second subscription to an organisation set up to compete with ACU&S.
However I am concerned at the veiled threats being issued by the ECB OA that only their members will be able to umpire in the Premier leagues from 2007. If the majority of umpires chose, as I have done, not to join ECB where are the Premier leagues going to get their experienced umpires from? From amongst the ranks of ACU&S members?
It is interesting to note that ECB have claimed that in setting up ECB OA they are merely mirroring the situation in other countries. However I am given to understand that in Australia their umpires group is an autonous body under the auspices of the ACB. It would be interesting to hear first-hand from umpires/scorers in other countries.
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Post by nompere on Aug 24, 2006 21:39:29 GMT
My own Premier league has several umpires who are not members of either ACU&S or ECBOA. How many other leagues have enough qualified umpires to insist on qualifications rather than long service and experience?
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Post by johnfgolding on Aug 25, 2006 18:21:31 GMT
Iam a joint member of ACU&S who has decided against joining ECB OA. ACU&S still caters quite adequately despite the transient financial problems. I can see no point in shelling out for a second subscription to an organisation set up to compete with ACU&S. However I am concerned at the veiled threats being issued by the ECB OA that only their members will be able to umpire in the Premier leagues from 2007. If the majority of umpires chose, as I have done, not to join ECB where are the Premier leagues going to get their experienced umpires from? From amongst the ranks of ACU&S members? I actually joined today, hedging my bets. I had an interesting conversation with them and believe that they fully understand they will not be able to enforce any ruling relating to only ECBOA members. To me it is not about money, independance, it is simply about how I can become a better umpire. The more peers I am in contact and work with the better, so if joining helps then so be it. After all it is not a legal contract and I can review, utilise my membership of either organisation as I see fit.
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wnewing
Junior Contributor
Posts: 6
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Post by wnewing on Sept 22, 2006 18:36:57 GMT
I'm joining in an old thread here, but I'm just a new member here. I am a proud member of the ACUS. I've made friends there and I've scored in the UK. They have never let me personally down. In my experience, if you network your teachers, there are individuals out there who will go out of their way to help you get your qualifications whatever the state of the Board etc. All over Europe, the Umps&Scorers Assocs are linked to the country Boards because we are so few and cricket here is a minority sport. We have to stick together to keep going - herding is a survival trait. Joining the ECBOA would be an untenable situation for me and many other Europeans like me. I have absolutely nothing against the ECB whatsoever. This may be an excellent move for England and Wales. I adore the game in England and have supported Leicestershire since childhood. However, tomorrow I will be scoring an U19 European Tournament between Belgium, France and hosts Germany. Could you all imagine the huff and puff if we officials had to turn to the ECB for permission to officiate at these games?
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Post by johnfgolding on Sept 24, 2006 10:09:14 GMT
I think it is all a matter of presentation. I note in your other messages that you are crying out for umpires, like many leagues. I suspect that whether the Umpire was a member of the ACU&S or ECBOA and had recognised qualifications GL-x or ECB Level x would not matter that much.
I could understan d the outcry if the ECB (or any other organisation) were foolish enough to demand that Umpires had to be a meber. This is not what the ECB told me (see my earlier post).
It is great to hear that there is serious cricket in other countries, pity our press do not mention it. Hope your competition went well.
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wnewing
Junior Contributor
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Post by wnewing on Sept 25, 2006 18:02:13 GMT
Thanks, John, everything went very well and Belgium were the deserved winners. The kids played well and in excellent spirit which gives us hope for the future. They gave us all plenty to do with lost balls, split balls and the first ever penalty points for all involved (ball bouncing off a parked helmet). Just to support what you wrote, the 2 scorers I worked with had no recognised qualifications, but by golly, they both did their job superbly. The umpires were brilliant. Leagues worldwide are always crying out for good officials and we are no different. However, perhaps more people might be encouraged to umpire and score if a bit more appreciation were shown - note to players, please. As usual, we were thanked at the very end but it still felt much like an afterthought.
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Post by johnfgolding on Sept 26, 2006 7:45:27 GMT
I think that umpires can do a lot to promote themselves. This is a failing of the ACU&S. I wonder who the ECB or any other organisation will fare?
I am very new to umpiring, but have been quickly accepted by all. I have made lots of friends, and love it. Have been invited to umpire a few charity matches by clubs I umpired in the league. As I mentioned I am very new to this and have a lot to learn.
Going on a course helps, not just knowledge of the laws but by gaining knowledge of fieldcraft from fellow umpires.
The tantrums by some players do not really worry me, and from what I can see are not helped by some of my peers and their attitude. It is interesting that I keep being moved to the more challenging games in our league, and get very little problem.
Keep up the good work, I did not realise how the game was thriving in other parts of the world.
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Post by Richard Grover on Sept 27, 2006 15:51:22 GMT
Yes i agree with the comment about lack of appreciation for scorers and umpires , i've scored for my local club for 4 season know 3 of these being for the 2nd X1 no qualified umpries and very often no non playing scorers hence very difficult matches to score yet i can count on 1 hand the number of times somebody has come up to me at the end of the game and said "Thanks very much" with the exception of the club chairman who thanks me every single time without failure
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