|
Post by Number 6 on Mar 10, 2008 17:28:10 GMT
Unfortunately there is no fair system of grading, those that are in the right circles will get higher grades than those who are not in the correct circles. Its not what you know but who you know. That IMHO is nonsense. The fair system of grading is the GL series then judgement by your peers to obtain fully qualified status. There's certainly no "old school tie" network in my area, or if there is it's effect is minimal. Pete
|
|
|
Post by Number 6 on Mar 11, 2008 13:05:08 GMT
For those that are interested full details of the ECB qualification levels are given in this document: static.ecb.co.uk/files/training-structure-report-21-08-06-1286.docOn reading this it is quite evident to me that Level 2 is MUCH more closely related to GL5 than GL4. IMHO GL4 is similar to Level 3 without the workbook. I am still very angry about this situation. I have emailed ECBCOA and posed the question to two people; I have had no reply from either as yet. Neither have I had any membership paperwork. This is all fast becoming a farce IMHO! Pete
|
|
|
Post by missingleg on Mar 11, 2008 13:32:00 GMT
Interesting reading. It seems to me that the ECB want to progress advanced umpires themselves, without relying on pre-requisites from The ACU&S. I didn't realise there were 4 Levels either!
|
|
|
Post by blackbeard on Mar 11, 2008 13:34:27 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Number 6 on Mar 11, 2008 13:40:21 GMT
A further thought has just (belatedly) occured to me. Under the old ACU&S regime GL4 was the precurser to "Fully Qualified" membership. No further course or exams were involved, purely an ongoing assessment during a season or two resulting in nomination and hopefully acceptance as a full member. It was my intention to work towards fully qualified membership during this season. This now seems to have been superceded by the ECB Level three which does require further coursework and a further exam. So all the ACU&S members have now in reality been knocked back to GL5 level and will have to undertake a further course and take another oral exam in order to become "qualified". I have effectively been docked a whole year. I am no longer angry... .......... I am incandescent!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pete
|
|
|
Post by missingleg on Mar 11, 2008 13:47:44 GMT
Why the heck aren't GL4 umpires given ECB level 3 status??? Bizarre.
Blackbeard - I think it means you're expected to study the Laws yourself as well as in the course.
|
|
|
Post by blackbeard on Mar 11, 2008 13:58:05 GMT
Peter Level 2 requires to retain this level you must attend refresher courses and exams reguarly, Level 3 which has yet to be designed, will be learning about multiday cricket, and to keep this level again attend regular refresher courses and exams. To gain level 2 the cost we are told will be between £250 and £500. What will refresher courses and exams cost. This is turning out to be expensive and as umpires only get paid around £25 a game, I believe most umpires will walk away as the cost will outway the income.
|
|
|
Post by missingleg on Mar 11, 2008 14:08:24 GMT
WHAT? £250 - £500??? I can't afford that! Where were you told that?
|
|
|
Post by blackbeard on Mar 11, 2008 14:29:32 GMT
Missingleg This came direct from the offices of ECB Chris Kelly. He also stated that your Counties should subsidise the cost of courses? That is why it is important that new Umpires should take GL5 as soon as possible to save costs of taking a ECB ACO level 2 course. Of course refreshers we will all have to pay if we want to keep our gradings in ECB ACO, they cannot take level 2 away but you can be down graded if you do not keep up on refresher courses.
|
|
|
Post by Number 6 on Mar 11, 2008 14:36:17 GMT
I am still awaiting a reply of any description from Chris Kelly but if this is accurate then this will be my last season, if I can be bothered to stand at all.
I feel thoroughly disheartened!!
.......... and still incandescent!!!
Pete
|
|
|
Post by blackbeard on Mar 11, 2008 14:41:35 GMT
This is the current farcical situation ECB ACO are at. Remeber ECB ACO want volounteer Tutors, ACUS had 400+ instructors, I am not sure a volounteer would teach for a multi million pound company free of charge concidering they are going to charge vast amounts for training?
1 There are currently only 4 tutors accredited by 1st4Sport for umpire training. There are also 2 scorer tutors on the course. The programme is to have the number up to 20 by the end of the year when the first set of Level 2 courses start next year. The number to be trained next year has not yet been decided but there is no point having tutors if they cannot be supported by Internal and External Verifiers.
2 Only accredited tutors will be able to tutor Level 2 but that does not prevent other tutors teaching beginner, revision or refresher courses.
3 No formal work being carried out on Level 1 but leagues or regions can set their own beginner training as they have in the past. They can also specify who can tutor it. Cricket Australia has
a Level 1 course which last for 3 hours followed by an exam.
4 The Level 2 course will consist of a session dealing with health and safety, ECB directives and CRB. This will be followed by a minimum of 12 hours of tutoring. This may be six sessions of 2 hours or three sessions of 4 hours. Some of these sessions will be in a sports hall or large room to enable simulated match conditions. Each session will be preceeded by a workbook self study and which the student will require to be sigend off in his/her workbook by the tutor. The exam at the end will be multiple choice and multiple selection.
Is succesful in the exam the candidate will be required to stand in a minimum of ten matches of at least 20 overs per side during the season. In at least one of the matches the candidate will be assessed by an external assessor. The candidate will also have to keep a log of his appointments including self assessment. There will also be a number of tutorials during the season held by the course tutor which the candidate will be expected to attend.
At the end of the season the candidate will submit his exam results, his self assessments, his external assessments and his workbook and umpiring log for approval. Only if succesful in every area will he gain his Level 2 qualification.
The whole idea around the qualification is to relate it more to actual practical umpiring rather than on just a knowledge of the Laws.
|
|
|
Post by blackbeard on Mar 11, 2008 14:52:47 GMT
Worcester recently had a meeting with Chris Kelly You may be interested to learn thier findings: They were advised: 1. ECBACO Level 1 & 2 courses were in the process of being formulated.
2. A Pilot Level 2 Course would be held over the weekend of 16th Feb 2008 and it was anticipated that the Level 2 Course would then be finalised by the Autumn.
3. There would be no direct relationship between a Level One & Two course and each would be “Free standing”.
4. The ECB Level One course would give an insight into the Laws of Cricket.
5. The Level Two Course would be the main vehicle for access to Umpiring at League levels. Level Two courses could only be run with the attendance of an “Accredited” Instructor – Accredited by the firm providing the Courses. The Course would consist of a series of modules all of which would be designed to promote interest and motivation. There would be no direct “Studying of the Laws”. Students would be expected to cover the Laws mainly through work books, self study and homework. Students would then be required to stand in ten matches during which they would be assessed before “passing” the Level Two Course.
6. Until the new Level One and Two courses were in place and Accredited Instructors available, the existing ACUS & ECBAO Courses could be used
|
|
|
Post by missingleg on Mar 11, 2008 14:57:58 GMT
Peter, don't feel too disheartened about umpiring - do it for the game, not the ECB.
Blackbeard, I thought that it isn't possible to take GL courses any more? If what Mr. Kelly said is accurate, then I can't see a fee of £250 - £500 being sustainable. It will dissuade potential umpires from joining - unless the match fees improve dramatically!
I look forward to these refresher courses; I'll have questions to ask!
|
|
|
Post by missingleg on Mar 11, 2008 15:01:29 GMT
Thank you fo all the information, Blackbeard :-) Could you please advise me as to my next course of action regarding umpiring and qualifications?
|
|
|
Post by Number 6 on Mar 11, 2008 15:02:24 GMT
Seeing as the proposed fee is ten to twenty times the current exam fee then the match fee should rise in accordance. I will look forward to umpiring for £250 a game!
Pete
|
|