fedump
Junior Contributor
Posts: 7
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Post by fedump on Mar 11, 2008 19:36:41 GMT
I agree. My point was that the true cost of training needs to be recognised, and steps taken to ensure that the cost to individuals does not become a deterrent.
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Post by Number 6 on Mar 11, 2008 20:21:56 GMT
If the costs are to be as has been stated then those costs will either have to be borne by the county boards or match fees will have to rise substantially.
I would have no desire or inclination to continue umpiring if I wasn't in a position to keep up to date and topped up with regular refresher courses but equally I have absolutely no intention of being out of pocket by umpiring; I don't wish to make a vast profit out of it but I will at least break even or I don't do it. The rising costs of fuel and other expenses already make it barely economic for me to continue - at £25 per match that's only 24 miles in vehicle running costs, before any other costs are taken into account. If it's also going to cost £100 - £250 a year to remain "qualified" and suitably up to date then that's another £5 - £10 or so a game expense to take into account. Someone has to fund this, either by the county boards stumping up the cash or by the match fees (or a levy on the clubs) rising by at least £10 per game per umpire.
Pete
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Post by Number 6 on Mar 11, 2008 20:40:08 GMT
Pete, you can siv through the fixtures on your county's playcricket website - that's how I found my first fixture, I would assume your county has done the same. I was told that sending the application form is good enough for insurance, but I'm anxious too What I meant was actually being allocated games by the league. Every umpire has to provide proof of insurance cover (don't even think of umpiring without appropriate insurance!) before being allocated games. ECB say that an umpire will be covered by their insurance from the moment they receive the application form but they can't even tell me if they have received it so for all I know it may have got lost in the post, or ECB mislaid it, etc. I have no proof of insurance and I will not umpire if I'm not absolutely certain I'm covered - it's not worth the risk. Pete
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Post by missingleg on Mar 11, 2008 20:54:47 GMT
Well I can say is I HOPE everything will become clearer during these refresher courses starting at the end of this month.
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Post by blackbeard on Mar 11, 2008 21:06:19 GMT
What refresher courses are these? I though you had recently passed GL6?
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Post by missingleg on Mar 11, 2008 22:09:41 GMT
Well, I have been invited to 4 pre-season refresher courses on Mondays from 31 March and 21 April by the Derbyshire Cricket Board ACO...our 'branch' I suppose.
I have recently passed GL6 - does that mean I am ineligable to turn up or has there been some confusion?
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Post by blackbeard on Mar 12, 2008 9:25:55 GMT
Check with the organisers, but I cannot see a problem. Ask if they would be prepared to run a GL5 after for you. You never know until you ask.
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Post by missingleg on Mar 12, 2008 12:21:12 GMT
Thanks :-)
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Post by Number 6 on Mar 12, 2008 21:56:33 GMT
I have had this reply from my local people:
----------------------------------------------------- Hi Peter I'm afraid you have hold of the wrong end of the stick. Your first para below about the GL4 is mainly correct and under the old regime after going through the various assessments you would have become a "Fully Qualified" Umpire. The new ECB Regime does not have "Qualified" Umpire status. The NEW level Two examination, which includes a 10 week diary and an "on field assessment" will take you to what was the old ACUS "Qualified status" But the new ECB Level Two examination is not yet ready and will not be available for some time - possibly not until next year. The old ECBAO level 2, which was a very poor substitute for the ACUS GL4 etc, also gave "qualified" status - for what it was worth. Level Three and above is by ECB invitation only and is meant for those Umpires who have great potential and are on the brink of First Class status. Nobody knows the format of the Level 3 - it has yet to be designed and is purely a matter of theory. You have not been knocked back to level 5 as far as I am aware, and if you produce your diary there is no reason why you cannot be regarded as a "fully qualified ACUS style umpire" which in my book is a far better product than anything the ECBAO produced. We, (WCU&SA) , had a meeting with WCB & ECB and it was confirmed and agreed that until the NEW ECB Level 2 is ready and available, that the ACUS examination structure will be recognised. --------------------------------------------------
I have had no reply at all to my emails to ECB - not very happy about that.
Pete
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Post by swerveman on Mar 12, 2008 22:01:32 GMT
Whatever, the ECBACO is my organisation now and I intend to get involved with it in a positive way. I see no point in being critical without trying to be constructive. I can at least attempt to influence the things that I don’t like from within. One last thought. A colleague and I stood in the finals of the local District indoor knock-out last weekend. We had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon, umpiring some very competitive cricket, played in an excellent spirit. The players didn’t give a hoot about the politics of umpiring, but they left us in no doubt that we had done a good job. I think that’s why I went umpiring in the first place! Thanks, fedump. My sentiments exactly.
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Post by blackbeard on Mar 13, 2008 9:40:08 GMT
Yes I agree, but the work book is self assessment? we can all say we were brilliant? You study the laws yourself, no classroom work? One assessment? This is no where near ACUS GL4 Qualified umpire. The OWL and Scales was a prized possession of ACUS members. All we have to show for our Level 2 ECB ACO is a card stating we are level 2.
I know they claim the members voted for this, but if all the facts were made available I doubt whether they would have voted for THIS?
The question has to be asked, why was ECB so eager to get ACUS when they are clearly not ready and will not be until at least 2009?
The way forward was to have ACUS continue in its present form and have a gradual transition?
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Post by youngumpire on Mar 13, 2008 12:15:59 GMT
Blackbeard as a young umpire trying to progress, I find you to be very pessimistic and one of the old boys that has in times brought cricket and officiating in to disrepute. I feel we should take on the new association and as officials it is our duty to try and help. Constantly moaning about the old Association is a waste of time. I would of have thought that someone who has been officiating for so long would be more mature about the situation and more to offer than constantly REMINSICING on the past!
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Post by Number 6 on Mar 13, 2008 12:32:03 GMT
Blackbeard as a young umpire trying to progress, I find you to be very pessimistic and one of the old boys that has in times brought cricket and officiating in to disrepute. I feel we should take on the new association and as officials it is our duty to try and help. Constantly moaning about the old Association is a waste of time. I would of have thought that someone who has been officiating for so long would be more mature about the situation and more to offer than constantly REMINSICING on the past! I disagree. I'm no stick-in-the-mud by any means but I have to concur that the proposed ECBACO qualification regime looks to be a joke. Level 3 and above is for "old school tie" umpires who know the right people; at least with ACU&S the ladder was available to all. Level 2 is akin to a University Degree in something like "Media Studies" - i.e. useless!! I also was really looking forward to getting my Owl & Scales at the end of this year. Level 2 is a joke and if that's all we can look forward to then I for one cannot envisage umpiring after this coming season. Pete
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Post by Number 6 on Mar 13, 2008 12:34:01 GMT
On a lighter note I have just received this: -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Peter,
Sorry for the delay in reply. Your application form is with us and has been entered on our database. We are just waiting for ACU&S to confirm everyone’s payment and qualifications then we will confirm all memberships.
Many thanks
Sam Greaves
ECB Association of Cricket Officials ---------------------------------------------------
However, I have yet to receive any reply from Chris Kelly re: the qualification gradings.
Pete
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Post by blackbeard on Mar 13, 2008 12:34:34 GMT
Youngumpire
They say the truth hurts? As you are young umpire, and obviously no nothing about etiquette on forums, I will pass on this insult by you as youth. I for your information am not an OLD BOY I qualified in 1998.
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