Forum

Am I the only person who can't understand how the Section 1 League winners can't get a pick on any of the ace selections by the experts? Are they not eligible?

R.E Umpiring

As ive said before on here the problem is attending the courses over a weekend in Belfast, its just too big a commitment for people involved in winter sports and the travel associated doesnt make it attractive either.

Im sure if there were a few regional beginners courses maybe over 2 or 3 Tuesday nights attendance wouldnt be an issue.

I thoroughly believe there's a fairly obvious answer as to WHY there is an ever decreasing number of local cricket umpires as each season ends and comes round again.

I'm referring in particularly to new recruits, willing to give it a go and just as importantly, stick at it !

Alas, although as I've already stated, it's pretty obvious to me anyway and I dare say to most other folk despite the 'deafening silence', there's little in my opinion that either NIACUS or the NCU can do about it!

I've heard it diplomatically referred to as player 'decent', but I've much more colourful language I could use to describe the individuals and what I think of it and them, but the editor would quite rightly refrain from putting it up on here !

Let's spell it out plainly for what it is ! A lack of respect to put it mildly to:( Not necessarily in any order)

1. The Umpire /himself & colleagues
2. The spirit of the game
3. Your skipper/team/ & opposition
4. Watching spectators, supporters, the general public, ( All or some of whom may be very young and impressionable)!!
5. Yourself !
6. Your parents ! (Were you brought up that way ?)

Sort this out and we'll happily find both new and returning umpires, merrily joining and re-joining the fold !

But like I've said, NIACUS or the NCU have no magic wand to wave !

It begins and ends with.........

'The man in the Mirror'!!

Interesting debate on the umpires issue, and no easy solution. One thing the NCU did appear to develop this year was the idea that each club should provide at least one current member/player to volunteer to stand in at least one game. For example, I volunteered to do this, and sent the NCU details of a number of dates that I would be available on, based upon the fixture list. I think I provided at least 3 Saturday dates, and indicated that, fixtures permitting, I could do most Sundays.

I am still waiting on a call, and I know of several others who went through this process who are still waiting on a call. It would be interesting to know if many/any of those who put their names forward under this initiative were actually asked to umpire this season.

It may well be that the pretty dire weather on most weekends, which wiped out many games, led to the umpire shortage issue this season to be less acute than normal, but surely if the NCU and NIACUS are serious about attempting to get more people interested in umpiring, this initiative should have been pursued with a little more vigour?

But perhaps I am in a minority of those who didnt get the call and if that is the case, then hopefully a few more will have caught the bug and will take it up on a more regular basis in due course.

Stewart - I'm only trying to kick-start a debate as to why there is a reluctance for guys to take up umpiring - especially when there are so many opportunities for advancement. This was highlighted in Alan's interview as quoted in the afore-mentioned Newsletter. Before Ulster rugby started having to pay people referees had free admission to Ravenhill - not much of an incentive in the good old days but at least it was a perk. Blue sky thinking perhaps but, for example, a corporate admission for umpires to an Ireland game could be such a perk. It is recognised that many clubs do not provide umpires - some in the higher echelons as well - but the figures that were quoted yesterday make for disturbing reading. It might be interesting for NIACUS to produce a rough age range of the current active umpires. I suggest that a considerable %age, like myself, won't see 60 again! If the present trend continues then perhaps the day isn't too far away when teams in sectons 1 & 2 will be umpiring their own matches and we know the hornet's nest that exists in the lower leagues with regard to decision making! And apart from the hand-wringing about coercing people, no-one has explained to me WHY the NCU should coerce clubs into providing umpires - there are plenty of rules that seem to cover everything else!

Andy as eloquent as ever. Alter point has always been you can't force individuals or clubs to do something they don't want to do. Name and shame away if you want. I personally don't think taking someone on a guilt trip will change umpiring numbers dramatically.

jeff- Good idea in theory, a couple of problems apart from the ground.... getting boys interested to play and also a PL against a senior 1 team would be very competitive in my opinion as the PL select team depending if it was the strongest eleven or not would be very much stronger than senior 1. I think lots of boys are glad the season is over so it might be a runner for early next season.

Last year I suggested that a list showing the club membership of the current "active" umpires. I suggested that this might "shame" clubs into accepting responsibility for recruitment. I was lambasted by a couple of forumites who felt that therewas no place for such coercion. PLO'H, on his NIACUS blog, expressed his concerns that despite active canvassing at the start of 2012, the response at the umpires' course was not terribly good. In this morning's Newsletter the president of NIACUS is quoted that there are now 30 active umpires. This means that a maximum of 15 games can be covered each week. Perhaps those "forumites" mentioned above might now reconsider their views. What goes round comes round and there is a lot more that I could say on the subject but Flossies got the dinner on!

Jeff sounds like a plan ! Maybe you could mix teams eg Co Down versus Co Antrim? Could run it for the Lords Taveners fund etc

yes premier select (no pros)yes possibly but id say you might get it in if weather stays way it is but possibly next april be another option it be great way for premier clubs get look at some excellent players in section one that DEFINITLY could play in premier . ps id say if strangford road was asked they would host this game and great bar facilities and possible get good wicket even at this late date artifical as back up

Anyone think 40 over game sun 30 sept between premier and section one worth A TRY FOR CHARITY ? or start next season ?

My section one team is

1 S Johnston Woodvale
2 J Van De Merve Muckamore
3 A Nixon Bangor
4 C Lewis Derriaghy
5 J Magowan Downpatrick wicket keeper
6 C Robinson Woodvale
7 M Adair Holywood
8 D Munn Cliftonville
9 J Maguire Dundrum
10 S Bunting Woodvale
11 N Gill Muckamore captain

my 4 subs that very unlucky not to make my line up
C Burns Bangor
J Wheeler Downpatrick (most improved bowler)
P Mccormick Holywood
L Connor Dundrum

scorer Keith Downpatrick

I would be very interested in arranging a game between premier and section one as fund raiser for any charity play at comber or downpatrick and ill get cup sponsered could be pre season any thoughts ?

I see Cricket Ireland are not exactly encouraging club cricketers to attend their inaugural awards ceremony.
120 Euros per person!!
Maybe they only want Corporate clients or Celebrities to attend. Cricket Ireland really have lost touch with reality.
It makes the cost of attending the NCU Dinner seem like the bargain of the year at £27.50.

Section 1 team of the year:

S Johnston (Woodvale)
J Van der Merwe (muckamore)
J Magowan (Downpatrick)
C Lewis (Derriaghy)
P McCormick (Hollywood)
D Munn (Cliftonville)
G Ringland (Downpatrick)
P Robinson (Woodvale)
N Gill (Muckamore)
S Bunting (Woodvale)
J Wheeler (Downpatrick)

Maybe a bit heavy on the Downpatrick men and no lurgan players... maybe a bit contraversial since they won the league.

Section one Team of the Year....not inc Pro's.

1. S. Johnston (woodvale)
2. J van der Merwe (muckamore)
3. C. Lewis (derriaghy)
4. J. Magowan (downpatrick)
5. P. Robinson (woodvale)
6. D. Munn (cliftonville)
7. P. Tate (downpatrick) (wk)
8. R. Adair (holywood)
9. S. Bunting (woodvale)
10. N. Gill (muckamore)(c)
11. G. McNerlin (dundrum)