GET INTO UMPIRING - A GREAT WAY TO BE INVOLVED IN CRICKET !

 Like most local players, the majority of WDCA umpires and scorers spend their careers supporting matches in the WDCA Senior or Junior Cricket Competitions.  The provision of quality umpires and scorers for WDCA club cricket is fundamental to the Association’s goals.

You can be assured that no matter what level you officiate at, the decision-making, game management, and other tasks involved will always present you with a real, interesting and enjoyable challenge either out there ‘in the middle’ or in the score box!

Opportunities are certainly there for local umpires to officiate at high levels for those dedicated enough to obtain the appropriate skills. 

To find out all you need to know about becoming a cricket umpire -

Contact the - Wangaratta & District Cricket Umpires' Association
 

Below are some great informative cricket umpiring websites which contain valuable umpiring tips for the beginner to the experienced umpire.

Cricket Australia - The Australian Cricket Umpires Guide CD information kit.

Cricket Victoria - A free 'Umpiring & Scoring for Beginners' ebook is available at this site

Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia - Great cricket umpiring basics at this site

Howzat - Not Out  - Umpiring info from an Aussie cricket site

BBC Cricket Website - Umpires Hand Signals

The Umpires view of a cricket pitch - A great insight into inspecting a turf cricket pitch

Cricket NSW - Umpires tips via Cricket NSW

Cricket Umpire Website - This links has details of every law of cricket. Well worth a look !

Acumen Books Cricket Umpire Links - This site provides you with heaps of cricket links.

The Spirit of Cricket

Cricket Victoria (CV) have prepared a brochure that expands on the traditionally accepted view of the Spirit of Cricket. The brochure provides information and explanations on how the Spirit of Cricket is relevant in other vitally important areas of life at a cricket club.

These areas include equal opportunity and member protection and club environments and culture. The brochure also explains how Cricket Victoria's All-Embracing Program and Club Development Program can assist Clubs in adhering to the Spirit of Cricket in these extended areas.

Click here to download the CV brochure. The Spirit of Cricket.CV.pdf (155.64 KB Tue Jul 31 16:49:21 2007)

When rain stops play 

DO stick together as a team at all times, and only answer questions after agreeing between yourselves on the answers.

DO inspect the pitch and ground regularly, and try to establish a schedule of inspection so that the captains know what you are doing at all times.

DO keep both captains fully informed at all times.

DO make firm decisions i.e. don't agree on a course of action, then change your minds later on.

DO make all inspections together.

DO think ahead, such as re-arranging intervals, so that the maximum playing time can be achieved.

DO everything possible to get the pitch and ground playable as soon as possible.

DO make maximum use of ground staff ? they know the ground and weather trends, and have access to drying equipment.

DON'T let others join you while inspecting the pitch and ground.

DON'T change your decisions once they are made.

DON'T let either captain sway you by getting you on your own and putting his/her point of view.

DON'T let anybody think you are not doing everything within your power to ensure the earliest possible start.

DON'T make any decision or statement without your partner present.  

WDCA UMPIRES FEES

SEASON 2008 /09

A. Grade - Fees

One Umpire - $100.00 / Day               Two Umpires - $70.00 each / Day

A. Reserve & B Grade - Fees

 One Umpire - $80.00 / Day               Two Umpires - $60.00 each / Day

 C Grade - Fees

One Umpire - $80.00 / Day              Two Umpires - $50.00 each / Day

Finals - Fees

An extra $10.00 per day.

The WDCA Umpires Board was formed at a meeting on the 10th October, 1965 at 10.15 am, at the Wangaratta Showgrounds, where representatives from the WDCA, WSCA and several umpires were present. Mr. R Thomas was elected as the first President, with Claude Rogers, Vice President and and Jack Funfack as Secretary.

It was moved that the executive also take on the role of the WDCA Umpires Board Selection Committee. Umpires fees were fixed at 2.00 pounds each for all Saturday & Sunday games and 3.00 pounds for NEDCCC games ( Ensign Cup ).

At the following WDCA Umpires Board meeting on the 12th October, 1965, a total of 14 rules were compiled and presented to the WDCA committee for approval.

The WDCA Umpires Board's first AGM was held on the 25th September, 1966, which revealed a credit balance of $2.12 !

WDCA Umpires Board - Honourboard

At the 2003 WDCA Umpires Board AGM, held on the 12th September, it was decided that the WDCA Umpires Board amalgamate with the WDCA and appoint a WDCA Umpires Director onto the WDCA Executive. This was largely due to the excessive insurance and public liability costs, which would now be absorbed through the WDCA insurance policy.

WDCA UMPIRES BOARD - LIFE MEMBERS

Oh! Multitudinous scintillations,
Where, 'midst thy bevy of constellations,
Lieth the group whose known occupations
Are those of the Cricket Umpires?

To place on a plane of such High Degree
Is far from the thoughts of Powers that be.
A recognised "Evil Necessity"
Are the First Class Cricket Umpires.

Some are proved masters of yester year,
Whose hearts warmed to an occasional cheer,
But cheerless receptions seem to appear,
To regard their skill as Umpires.

They hardly expect to be idolized,
Yet knowing full well they'll be criticized
Whatever their judgment. - They'd be surprised
If faint cheers greeted the Umpires.

Conditions alter the "faint cheer" statement,
For instance - following rain abatement,
Ironical cheers announce the latent -
Appearance of the Umpires.

Since 9 a.m. they may have been striving,
With blankets, sawdust and sacks, contriving
To dry the pitch for Players arriving,
Who - Later, p'raps blame the Umpires.

Bowlers can't stand if the ball's not "flying",
Batsmen can't see if it's dull or drying,
Fieldsmen connive - yet show - underlying,
Their opinion of the Umpires.

Appeals against poor light cannot be made,
Gestures concerning such, can't be displayed.
So "The Old Lamplighters" the serenade,
Whistled - as appeal to the Umpires.

The day's play ended - the sheathing of swords,
Players wending their way, provilionwards,
Some outstanding feature the Crowd applauds,
This shouldn't deceive the Umpires."

Well played sir!" "Well bowled sir!" greet the Parade
Of Players, who file through the gangway made;
And there, in the rear of the cavalcade,
Walk the unconsidered Umpires.

Around forty years since, just one or two
White-coated arbiters made their debut; -
Be-flannelled, yet still 'monger the Chosen Few,
Retained on the "List of Umpire".

But when reaching the age of three score years,
Their posts are reviewed - the "Red Light" appears
To herald the twilight of their careers -
And lifetime's love of some Umpires.

So in and out, and roundabout, and lo!
Like phantoms, Umpires come - fade out, and go.
The Pen of Might regrets - yet deals the blow.
The tolls the last bell for Umpires.

Faced then with naught but stark reality,
Relegated to mere banality,
Helpless despite "Once Popularity",
One or two faithful old Umpires.

No more on the hallowed strip to stand,
No more considered within the band,
And, though of a lifetime's love bereft,
They still have their treasured memories left.

From - www.twotocom.com