My background in cricket is:-

Since moving to Devon in 1983, I have been a member of Barton Cricket Club in Torquay, playing in their league sides until 1998. In this successful period for the club, I gained an ‘A' Division winners medal, before it became the Premier League, and a 2 nd .XI winners medal. I passed my Level 1 ECB Coaching award in 1991, and have worked with all age groups in Barton since then. I became a league umpire in 1999, passing all the exams and gaining full qualified membership of ACU&S in 2004. My umpiring experience has allowed me to officiate at a higher level than I was able to play, that being Devon friendlies, including a twenty x 20 game against Somerset , featuring Mr. Langer. I managed the Devon Ladies County side for two seasons, which was interesting and enjoyable. I now play as much as umpiring allows, but a recent ‘net' experience found that I had difficulty dealing with the round red object that was propelled towards me!! Perhaps that time is drawing to an end!! I enjoyed the tour with Devon Over 50's to Sri Lanka in 2008, during which I umpired on two of their test grounds.

I have the following roles & responsibilities for the DCB and I also undertake roles at a regional / national level for:-

I am currently the Chairman of the South Area Cricket Development Group, which we got going in 2008. This group is not as active as we would like, but now the clubs realise they can get funding, they are a little more proactive. I am also the Secretary of the South Area DCU&S, and sit on the County Management Committee. I also work with David Moseby as an umpires' trainer.

I can help you with:-

My role within the South Development Group will grow as the group's activities and needs change, which can only be good for the area's cricket.

I am able to help and give clubs advice on ClubMark, creating school-club links, CRB , Welfare Officers, Natwest Cricket Force, Chance to Shine, coaching & training courses

I have been involved with the ECB's new umpire training proposals and look forward to implementing them when they are finalised. I am also an agreed signature for peoples' CRB forms.

What best describes you which is not mentioned already?

I never enjoy losing a game of cricket, either as a player or a coach. There was a time when I could take on any bowler and give as good as I got, but the mind does not get the messages out as effectively as it use to, so this particular part of me is having to change. I enjoy umpiring Premier cricket, mainly due to the fact that most of the games are entertaining and played in the right spirit. I am also looking forward to the new ECB umpiring levels and moving up to the highest level I can.

Contact details:

Tel: 01803 400951

E-mail: christheumpire@yahoo.co.uk