MORE details have been released of training courses in 2019 for umpires at club level and higher.
DACO – the Devon Association of Cricket Officials – delivers the training, helped by a grant from the Tolchards Devon Cricket League to defray costs.
Details of an introductory course at Barton CC in Torquay in early January were published a few weeks ago.
This is a two-and-a-half hour course for those who are, or would like to be, involved in umpiring junior and friendly matches at their own club.
The course covers most of the basic details required to umpire a game of cricket. It is ideal for those who have no previous experience of umpiring cricket.
The West Devon course at Plympton Cricket Club is on Sunday, January 27, commencing at 1.30pm. Those interested in this course should contact Paul Dawe, DACO training officer at paul.dawe@btinternet.com
The course at Barton will take place in the spring. Those interested need to contact Chris Shelton on 01803 400951 or email christheumpire1@gmai.com.
It is intended to run similar courses in the north and east of the county. Details will be released as soon as dates and venues are confirmed.
Introductory level courses are free to entrants.
For potential umpires looking to do more than stand in club or friendly games, two higher-level courses – accredited stage one and stage two – have been booked. Both courses will be held at the Exeter Court Hotel at Kennford.
The stage-one course will be held on Saturday. January 19 and Saturday, February 9. Sessions will be from 9.00am until 12.30pm.
The Stage-two course follows on Saturday, February 23 and Saturday March 2. The completion of both stages is required in order for candidates to have a full appreciation of the laws of the game.
Previous experience of either playing or umpiring the game would be of value.
Where candidates enrol for both parts of the course together there is a discounted course fee of £40.
Cricket matches cannot take place without scorers and the club scorers course is ideal for anyone thinking of scoring on a regular basis.
The scorer course is suitable for the complete beginner and existing scorers who want to improve their skills. Registration is through the ECB ACO website, via this link. The course fee is £30 and this includes a resource pack, together with membership of the ECB ACO.
This course will be held at Exeter CC on Sunday, March 3 and Sunday March 10, from 9.30, on both days.
Ed Leverton, the secretary of the Tolchards Devon Cricket League, said the competition was delighted to do something practical to support umpire and scorer education.
“In doing this we hope to help in spreading the knowledge and understanding of the laws of cricket, at all levels of the game,” said Leverton.
