The Huddersfield League are finalising a new initiative aimed at combating the crisis in staffing cricket matches with qualified umpires. As part of a range of experimental rules, being introduced for 2023 to get Huddersfield Cricket’s new restructured, integrated, seven division League up and running, the Executive are calling on all Clubs to help ‘do their bit’ with providing umpires.
The Umpires Association at this moment currently have less than 40 names on their independent panel which is alarmingly only enough to staff the top two divisions and some matches in the Conference. 12 umpires are required to staff each division, so when holidays and other unavailability’s are taken into account, there is a shortfall that shows itself in the understaffing of some Conference games on most match Saturdays.
In 2023 the new experimental rules will require Club Umpires to be made available, on a rotation basis, to help plug the gap and step up to staff Conference fixtures alongside Panel Umpires. The Club Umpires selected to step up will also be required to be trained and qualified to at least ECB ACO (Association of Cricket Officials) Stage I so that they are as well equipped as possible to handle these higher level matches.
This fits together with another rule change submission already announced to Clubs which is seeking to ensure that all regular Club Umpires are qualified to at least the same minimum standard of ECB ACO Stage I. This is part of the League’s drive to underpin the great service Club Umpires already provide with a formal basic qualification. Voting on this rule is already open and it is hoped that players, Umpires and Clubs will see this as a logical and beneficial step and support the initiative designed to improve the quality and confidence of Club Umpires that the HCL is increasingly relying on.
ECB ACO Stage I training can be done, conveniently, online and the course is completely free. There is a one off cost of £30 if the umpire wishes to become a member of the ECB ACO (recommended).
ECB ACO Stage I training can also be undertaken by attending the next local in-person training course taking place at Broad Oak CC on Saturday 14th January 2023, 09.30am to 16.00pm. This more interactive face-to-face course costs £30 which will be re-paid* to the umpire by the League (and this fee includes the cost of ECB ACO membership that would otherwise be £30 as mentioned above).
This course also provides a discount for persons who wish to go on and undertake more in-depth in-person training to achieve a Stage II qualification.
Persons can book on all these courses by contacting HCL Umpires Association’s David Haikings on david.haikings@outlook.com
There are also other in-person Stage I training courses being held at a variety of venues around Yorkshire/on other dates in the early part of 2023. Please view the Umpires Education section of the YCB website for details.
* Please be reminded that the £30 cost of undertaking ECB ACO training will be reimbursed by the HCL so long as the Umpire officiates in at least 10 matches in 2023. The League will also make a contribution of £30 towards the cost of Umpires kit/clothing.
Please also note that Umpires who wish to further develop their qualification from Stage I to Stage II, or indeed to Stage III (all of which must be undertaken in-person) courses run in Huddersfield will be available in January and February 2023. Again please contact David Haikings for details.
