Becoming a League Umpire
What to expect
If you’re reading this, thank you for taking at least the first step towards supporting local league cricket and becoming an umpire.
Peter Connor who is on peter1connor@gmail.com is your main education contact and there to help and guide you through training. There is no typical umpire, it could be anyone, male/female & any age from 14 upwards. All we ask is that you have an interest and enthusiasm for cricket and a great attitude towards learning a new skill and gaining experience.
How does it work in real life?
As a new umpire, you’ll be invited to join one of three “tier 2” leagues in the region depending on where you live. Think of experience in terms of full seasons where you’d expect to do up to 20 main league games on a Saturday plus optional evening cup ties, T20 leagues and perhaps even Sunday 3rds. You always set your own availability so it’s no problem if you can only do every other week.
Your first season will consolidate your qualifications with experience in lower division games with an experienced colleague. As the season progresses, you may be asked to do the odd 1st team game & maybe choose to do some cup matches with tight finishes on summer evenings.
Your second season should see you doing many more higher division games, plus you’ll enjoy officiating in the later stages of cups too. You will be used to being called “umps” by now!
A further season(s) should see you officiating in many key games. Building on your experience will mean you can apply to join the Premier Division panels in NEPL and NYSD on a permanent basis.
As well as helping local cricket there are a lot of benefits for your own well-being:
- You learn new skills and you get the best “seat” in the house and nothing beats the experience of standing behind a quick bowler following the track of the ball or signalling six!
- You’re out in the fresh air and often sunshine, you’re treated well by players and clubs and you acquire the new name of “umps” and make friendships with all the other “umps” too!
- You’ll receive match and travel expenses
Qualifications
The ECB Umpire Course is designed to give new umpires the key skills, knowledge and confidence to stand as an umpire in cricket. No prior experience of umpiring in cricket is required before attending the course.
Whether you plan to support Junior Softball cricket through to adult cricket, this course will cover the following topics:
– Understanding the role of the umpire
– Gain a basic understanding of umpiring the game
– Answering appeals and the common methods of dismissal
– How to communicate effectively with all stakeholders in the game
– Judging whether or not it is safe to play
The course is split into classroom and practical learning, so we recommend learners to come dressed appropriately.
Learners will be asked to complete some e-learning prior to attending the course, which will take no more than 90 minutes to complete in total. Pre-learning can be completed via multiple visits or in one go.