New Member's Question

[missingleg]

Hello everybody,

Apologies if I'm posting this in the wrong place, but the 'ACU&S' thread seemed the most logical.

My name is Adam and I have recently passed my GL6 exam. I want to umpire (for the first time) next year and I was wondering what course of action I should take in order to gain as much experience as I can next year? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I'm also confused as to the whole position of the members of ACU&S who aren't members of any other organisation, but I'll no doubt find out the necessary information here. Do I need to join the new ECB organisation?

I'm glad I stumbled on this website!

Many thanks.

[johnfgolding]

Adam,

Congratulations. You are about to embark on a very fulfilling activity.
Do I take it from your posting that you have not umpired at all?

How you gain experience for next year depends on the set up of the cricket leagues in the area where you live / want to umpire. So I suggest you find that out.

In many areas such as mine clubs need to provide umpires for their league, and there is a chronic shortage. So try starting there.
Initially don’t set your standards too high.

I was very lucky that up to two seasons ago I had only ever umpired some casual evening matches. I was then approached by a club, took my GL-6 then umpired in their league in the lower divisions. If you are good you will get recognised and moved on. I have now got Gl-4 and umpire in the top divisions including cup finals.
Try to umpire with experienced umpires – you may need to force that issue – this is what was the key to my success.
GL-6 is only the base knowledge you need. Experience, man-management and a thorough knowledge of law 43 is vital to progress.

As far as the ACU&S, new ECB issue is concerned is concerned, I would just advise wait and see. After all the main things you need from them are:

• Insurance cover, probably through your local league or club – check. If not then the ECBOA.
  
  
• Further training / mentoring.
  
  

[gooders]

Adam,
Depending on where abouts in Derbyshire you live, there are, to my knowledge, four different cricket leagues which operate in the north of the county.
They are Derbyshire County Cricket league / Premier league, Bassetlaw and district Cricket league, North Derbyshire South Yorkshire Cricket league and Mansfield and District Cricket league.
I know that each of these leagues usually has a shortage of umpires (as is the case nationally) and am sure that if you check the leagues' web sites, links to which can all be found at "thefollowon.com", the umpires secretary is usually listed with a contact address, and he would be more than glad of any qualified volunteer to add to his panel of umpires.
The one thing which surprises me about it is the fact that since, as you say you recently passed your GL6, your instructor didn't point you in the direction of the next step forward.
Best of luck in your future endeavours out on the field of play.

[johnfgolding]

Adam,

I forgot the most obvious you Gl-6 tutors should be able to point you in the right direction.
Also there may have been experienced Umpires on your course who could help.

Good Luck

[missingleg]

John,

Thank you for replying so swiftly!

I've only ever umpired a few friendly games so I haven't any meaningful experience really. I'll try to find out more information about the Derbyshire cricket league and see how I can start out.

Thanks for the advice; I'll get in touch with my local club to find out its situation.

I had no idea you could progress to higher level umpiring so fast. I hope I get the chance to umpire with experienced colleagues but isn't it true that in the lower leagues only one qualified umpire officiates - and the club provides a striker's end umpire?

I'm very glad I don't have to worry about joining other organisations right now! One thing at a time as they say...

____________________________

Gooders,

Thanks for the link. I have found the secretary's contact information. I'm going to phone him to end my confusion!

Immediately after I passed my GL6, I wrote down my own contact details for Alan Davies, who was the course instructor, and promptly left. I'm just getting anxious that I've since had no contact with anybody but perhaps I'm getting needlessly paranoid!

I can’t thank you enough for the help; it’s taken a load off my mind.

[gooders]

You should find Jon Salisbury's Phone No. in the DCCL Handbook.
I know he'll be grateful for another umpire to stand in the league, and if you ask him, I think you will find him most helpful in pairing you with a more experienced umpire.
Hope to see you around, whi knows, we may bump into each other on the field someday.

[missingleg]

DCCL Handbook?

[johnfgolding]

Adam,

The arrangements for umpires varies league to league. For instance in the league I have stood in for the last two years, every club has to provide an umpire for each of its teams. We do NOT stand in our own club games, therefore, are nuetral.

There is the danger that you could be standing with a colleague who would rather be playing than taking his turn. This in itself is valuable experience.
However, talk to your umpires secretary and ask if you could be paired with more experienced umpires. If he / she knows you want to progress they will help.
Being paired with an experienced umpire can be a similar experience as with a "player".
Take each game as it comes, be your own man- but work as a team with your colleague and scorers.
Be consistant.
As I said earlier Law 43 and Man Management are the most important skills.
You will progress at your own rate.

Also your colleagues are here to help. Make good use of this forum, it has helped me a lot, there is a lot of experience on tap.

You can also use it to send private messages.

missingleg said:

John,

Thank you for replying so swiftly!

I've only ever umpired a few friendly games so I haven't any meaningful experience really. I'll try to find out more information about the Derbyshire cricket league and see how I can start out.

Thanks for the advice; I'll get in touch with my local club to find out its situation.

I had no idea you could progress to higher level umpiring so fast. I hope I get the chance to umpire with experienced colleagues but isn't it true that in the lower leagues only one qualified umpire officiates - and the club provides a striker's end umpire?

I'm very glad I don't have to worry about joining other organisations right now! One thing at a time as they say...

[swerveman]

Adam,

I think you'd do well to check this page out:

dpcl.play-cricket.com/home/aboutUs.asp

Looks like you'll find all the contacts you need.

I don't know what happens in Derbyshire, but here in Sussex there are a number of junior competitions throughout the season, and rookie umpires are encouraged to stand. I find the kids are very enthusiastic, and it's well worth taking a few days off work to help them enjoy the fun.

I wish you well. Good luck for the future.

[missingleg]

Thank you swerveman. I have just e-mailed John Salisbury, my region's secretary. Hopefully things will become clearer!

[missingleg]

I have just received a reply from my secretary; things have now been cleared up. I would like to thank you once more for the advice and I look forward to reading more of this forum (and hopefully contributing!). A belated happy New Year to all.