Umpiring update for 2025
The Shropshire Association of Cricket Officials represent the ECB ACO in the county.
In partnership with Cricket Shropshire, our role is to recruit, convert, develop, and retain both umpires and scorers at all levels.
UMPIRES’ CLUSTER MEETINGS – WHAT ARE THEY?
We would like to to speak to current and aspiring umpires, whether they officiate club league games, junior games or women’s hardball or softball cricket. We want to learn about their experiences at their club and offer support where we can.
During January and February, we will be hosting three Regional Cluster Meetings across Shropshire to share details of formal training and CPD (Continual Professional Development – short sessions on specific topics).
We will also talk about how we can support your development and the opportunities to umpire at all levels within the county. We will explain the Umpire Pathway in both male and female cricket, for those umpires willing to progress to higher levels of the game.
Details of the meetings are as follows:
- Wednesday 22nd January @ Column CC (Shrewsbury)
- Monday 27th January @ Wem CC
- Tuesday 4th February @ Shifnal CC
All meetings will be 6.30-8.30pm.
Please share with anyone that might be interested in umpiring, at any level or any format of the game.
You only need to attend one of the meetings!
To register your attendance at one of the meetings, please complete the link HERE.
UMPIRES DATABASE
Cricket Shropshire is working closely with the Shropshire Association of Cricket Officials (SACO) to create a register of umpires in the county.
The aim is to have it available to help communicate with umpires about networking events, CPD courses, qualifications, and other available information.
There are some activities planned for the New Year for umpires and we hope that as many people as possible in the county could contact us via the link below and tell us if they want to be included in the database.
If you any further questions or queries, please email info@cricketshropshire.co.uk
CPD COURSES
As we work to build a network and identity for umpires across the county, we are keen to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to attend training to further their knowledge and expertise. These are open to any umpires. We have the following sessions arranged:
Teamwork & Communication: how to work with other officials and players – Tuesday 7th January 2025. 7:30pm @Allscott CC
Dead ball & managing the pace of play: how to manage a game to ensure it runs smoothly – Wednesday 12th February 2025. 7:30pm @Allscott CC
SCCL rules & Ground, Weather & Light: a review of the Playing Regulations for the 2025 season – all divisions –Wednesday 12th March 2025 7:30pmh @Allscott CC
Pre-season refresher: refresher on topics covered in the CPD sessions and a session on positioning & movement – Wednesday 10th April 2025 7:30pm @Allscott CC
MONTHLY INFORMAL MEETINGS
During the season we hold an informal meeting, usually on the second Wednesday of each month. The meetings are open to any umpire and are an opportunity to share experiences and discuss any queries with Laws or SCCL regulations.
WHAT TRAINING IS AVAILABLE?
For those wanting to get formal umpire training and learn more about umpiring we have two courses in Spring 2025.
This 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 or Women & Girls cricket through to adult league 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 has an on-line module then a one-day face-to-face six-hour course split between classroom and practical learning in a sports hall.
ECB Umpire Course (Open) – TBC
ECB Umpire Course (Female Only) – TBC
Email info@cricketshropshire.co.uk if intersted.
SACO AGM
The AGM for SACO will be held on 27th March from7.30pm at Allscott Cricket Club.
Open to all current and interested officials.