What did you think of ECBACO's first Conference

[Acumen]

Did you attend the AGM and/or Conference?

Did you enjoy it? Were you impressed? hat could make it better?

Your views would be much appreciated.

[swerveman]

I attended the AGM and Conference, and really enjoyed it. It was nice to meet John Golding face-to-face, and Acumen, of course! Jerryspaniel was there, too, and a lot of familiar faces, though I don't know if they're board members. It was well worth the 20 quid.

I think the format was good, and I'll certainly attend the next one, if it's within reach. Mind you, having a member fly in from India just for the event was very humbling! Perhaps just about anywhere is within reach!

[missingleg]

I thought the day was an overall success. I particularly enjoyed the 'match & player management' and 'selling your decisions' seminars; though I was frustrated that the 'journey to the first-class game' seemed to be more about how ex-cricketers can be fast-tracked rather than the steps required to progress through the leagues.

However, I'm pleased I went and I might well go again.

[Septic]

I thought John Barclay, John Brown and Hawkeye were excellent.

I was very disappointed in the First Class contributions, much of which did not reach the level of nor cover the detail that used to be delivered as standard GL4 material by experienced ACU&S instructors.

Perhaps that is why certain counties prefer IICUS material.

[johnfgolding]

Thank you Swerveman, hope it was what you expected. It was good to get together to share experiences, put faces to names etc.
Unfortunately I did not get to Hawkeye. Yes the John Barclay contribution was first class (forgive the pun). I would have willing paid the £20 just for that.

It is easy to be critical of the contributions from our First Class colleagues, but I suspect they were not used to talking to that number of people or had been trained in presentation skills.

In general I was happy with what I heard, maybe nothing new but just to hear it again is always worthwhile. I did think that Michael Gough made some interesting points in his talk and put in a slightly different way.

I was disappointed in the response I got to my question for advice to us that have never played the game.
I am not convinced we are at as much disadvantage as the speakers or even a few of my peers have suggested. I never offer that information pre match (or may have just done that to the world by writing here) nor had any comment apart from pleasant surprise when the players / coaches find out. To me it is the passion & commitment that counts and this message was delivered several times on Saturday.

A great day – Sam you can smile now.

[lofters]

I agree that overall the day went off quite well, and tho it was a 'typical' AGM in many ways the remainder of the day was worth the trip. The hierarchy appeared relieved that it all went off without a major hitch,.....reflected in the effusive thanks sprayed out from the top table.

As the ECBACOs much heralded 'clear progression routes' are so new, and in reality unproven as yet; to find an ump with experience enough to speak on the topic is impossible. Neil Bainton is the last one through from our lower orders, and even he was 6/7 years ago.

I enjoyed the Lords ambience, however in my opinion the day should be moved around the shires in a sort of rotation...... Headingley, Edgbaston, Riverside, Cardiff, the Oval, Old Trafford, back to Lords..... etc.

[johnfgolding]

Oct 19, 2009 12:22:21 GMT lofters said:

I enjoyed the Lords ambience, however in my opinion the day should be moved around the shires in a sort of rotation...... Headingley, Edgbaston, Riverside, Cardiff, the Oval, Old Trafford, back to Lords..... etc.

ROSE BOWL

Oct 19, 2009 13:41:19 GMT lofters said:

Fair enough JG....... my list was not intended to be exclusive in any way! Perhaps all the First Class County HQs could take a turn to host.

And yes, it is wishful thinking.

Maybe one day tho......

I knew your list was not exclusive, just a plea for the Rose Bowl to get a test match

[missingleg]

Oct 19, 2009 11:33:36 GMT johnfgolding said:

I was disappointed in the response I got to my question for advice to us that have never played the game.
I am not convinced we are at as much disadvantage as the speakers or even a few of my peers have suggested.

I suppose nobody really knows how the new format will work regarding non-first class players' progression as officials. Of course, the first-class players will still get fast-tracked but it was refreshing to hear the level of encouragement for all of us who simply have passion, drive and commitment (and a degree of competence of course!).

I'd like to know what the reserve list, second XI and minor counties umpires do about jobs (having to stand in midweek multi-day matches) and how the flexibility works - presumably they're not professionals? Or maybe they have part-time jobs too to earn a living? In fact, is there anywhere I can find this out?!

[jerryspaniel]

Good question missingleg. Can't say I know the answer, though Neil Bainton is (or will that be 'was') a postie in the winter. They can't all be retired or self employed.

I thoroughly enjoyed the day. Didn't get to see Hawkeye as I was at the three umpire presentations.

The ACO staff seemed to be quite defensive and although I don't know all the history, I think they are now doing a great job and we have a governing body to be proud of.

I thought Martin Bodenham made some great points and it was interesting to hear him compare and contrast with football. He also said that nobody wants 'law book umpires' and often referred to a common sense approach which I thought was refreshing.

I was also disappointed with the 'Journey to the First Class Game' presentation. While I have no ambition to be a first class umpire, I didn't really learn what that journey was. The answer to John's questions on advice to those who hadn't played the game - 'You are at a disadvantage' was unhelpful and bordering on the disrespectful.

It was interesting that quite a few of the questions on how to deal with specific laws or situations were met with 'Well its different in the first class game, we don't have to deal with that'. Made me think they had it pretty easy compared to us who don't have TV replays, 2 competent scorers, light meter, 3rd umpire (sometimes not even a 2nd umpire), boundary ropes etc etc!!!

Neil Bainton and Michael Gough were very good with a few relevant tips. I would have liked to have heard more of those but as I wrote 3 pages of notes I must have picked a few up.

John Barclay was a great speaker and others had funny stories (Jeff Evans, Steve O'Shaughnessy and Neil Bainton). even Roger Knight cracked a couple...

A very good day. Well worth the money and I would go to the next one assuming its relatively accessible.

[lofters]

to Missing Leg...
'I'd like to know what the reserve list, second XI and minor counties umpires do about jobs (having to stand in midweek multi-day matches) and how the flexibility works - presumably they're not professionals? Or maybe they have part-time jobs too to earn a living? In fact, is there anywhere I can find this out?!'....

As a Minors panel member, I can help a little.
Basically we have to commit by fitting MCCA and 2ndXI games into ones working life, ie give up holidays etc. Very difficult for some chaps, not so for the lucky, retired ones.
We are not professionals, and indeed the remuneration is not great at all. Typically, after expenses, in a three-day Minors appointment, most will be taking home less than £100. Second XI threedayers are similar, with the oneday games in both areas proportionately less.

Dunno about the Reserve listers, tho Neil Bainton continued/increased his postman duties through the Winters, earning flexibility from his employers for when the ECB/MCCA required his attendance.

In short, from my experience, the places to fully earn a living from umpiring are from the First Class panel upwards.

Hope this is of use....

[jaybee]

Oct 19, 2009 16:34:32 GMT jerryspaniel said:

It was interesting that quite a few of the questions on how to deal with specific laws or situations were met with 'Well its different in the first class game, we don't have to deal with that'. Made me think they had it pretty easy compared to us who don't have TV replays, 2 competent scorers, light meter, 3rd umpire (sometimes not even a 2nd umpire), boundary ropes etc etc!!!

A very good day. Well worth the money and I would go to the next one assuming its relatively accessible.

I agree with both these points; the vast majority of those attending must have been non-first class (etc) members and the difference between operating at those exalted levels and my 'coarse' umpiring (I stand for my club's 2nd XI to make sure that there's at least one person on the ground who has some idea of the Laws etc) is stark. Future conferences ought to try to do something about this gap.
The one thing which really resonated was Neil Bainton's tale of the day he had to operate at the bowler's end throughout. It's something I've become inured to but it can become tiring if it happens week-in and week-out.
On the question of accessibility I know from bitter experience that places outside London are generally harder to get to for a larger number of people given the transport system in the UK.
Next time I think a more organised approach to letting us try Hawkeye would be appreciated (I didn't get there).