Board’s work with SACO in spotlight

Cricket Shropshire has been working closely with the Shropshire Association of Cricket Officials (SACO) in recent months to promote the important role both umpires and scorers play in the game in the county.
That work has been featured in the latest edition of Over and Out – the ECB’s national Association of Cricket Officials’ regular online update.
It highlights the work which had been done in Shropshire over the winter to promote both umpiring and scoring with meetings, CPD and plans for the 2025 season in a bid to boost numbers.
It notes: “In collaboration with Steve Reese (Lead Officer – Shropshire Cricket), a thorough plan has been created collaboratively, to promote the ACO and multiple opportunities for potential, new and existing ACO members to be involved as an umpire, develop their skills and build the community across the county.”
It also includes County Scoring Officer Clair Eccleston noting how she works closely with the Board with regular meetings to discuss ways to develop the scoring pathway
She said: “The board have listened and asked lots of questions to understand the challenges we face as scorers and as a group we have come up with ideas to make the scoring environment in Shropshire better.
“I would encourage everyone to approach their County Boards and get them involved with officiating in the County. My experience has all been positive and, as a result of this collaboration, scoring in Shropshire will benefit.”
Over and Out notes on the collaboration between the Board and SACO: “This approach has already seen a growth in the membership across 2024 and with new members joining the independent panels, new scorers reaching out to Clair and more being provided opportunities to officiate new teams and in new environments.
“It’s a testament to the work of the team to put the umpire or scorer at the heart of their efforts.”
You can view the full version of the story in Over and Out via the link HERE.