YCB ACO Newsletter 9
EDITORIAL
A reminder that the AGM of YCB ACO, will be held at Harrogate Cricket Club on Sunday 7th December.
Further details of the meeting, and the seminar to follow the formal business of the AGM will be circulated within the next few days.
NATIONAL SURVEY
Members were invited to respond to this survey, as well as players, ex-players, and potential players. The response was good, and the results are currently being analysed, and discussed.
Overall there was a 13% reduction in the amount of cricket played in 2014 compared with the previous year. Some of this may be attributable to the weather, but not all. More matches were abandoned or cancelled for reasons unconnected with the weather.
ACO membership remained constant. In the context of reduced participation, and bearing in mind some Level 1 candidates became members in 2013 without any intention of becoming an active member of ACO, this is a very good performance.
65% of the players surveyed indicated they were encouraged to play by the availability of statistics. As a result we can expect ECB to promote scoring courses and the use of electronic scoring, if this encourages people to play.
At higher levels the players want better umpires, and at lower levels the players simply want to see an increase in the number of qualified umpires.
Clubs should be encouraged to get games on. Umpires should not be ready to mark down a pitch because of the way it performs, when the groundsman has been working hard to get the pitch playable. The effort should be appreciated. There is an action pending against umpires who allowed a game to proceed in poor conditions, by a player who slipped in the outfield and suffered an injury. The ECB are contesting the claim (the umpires are of course covered by the ECB insurance cover) and it is hoped it does not set a precedent that discourages us from getting games played even where the conditions are less than perfect. After 30 years of umpiring I still find decisions as to fitness of the ground and conditions the most difficult and perhaps the most contentious. Hopefully the Association will issue some additional guidance on these matters, but it will be in the context of playing whenever possible.
SURVEY RESULTS AND UMPIRES
ACO has carried out a specific analysis of the results, as they relate to officials.
94% of the players who responded to the survey think that umpires are important
63% of those players were satisfied with the quality of the umpiring. Unfortunately this means that over 36% of players are dissatisfied with the standard of umpiring.
The results have been broken down on a league by league basis. Some leagues have done better than others. The “best” figures still show about 30% are dissatisfied, but at the other end there are some leagues where more than two thirds of the players are dissatisfied.
Of course statistics are only part of the picture. It may be the better standard leagues expect better standards of umpiring, and players in the lower leagues are actually complaining about players who stand, usually without training, but clearly the figures are something to think about. The survey will be carried out again next year. Can we change these figures? Will more players be satisfied next year?
The statistics show details of the umpires. They are still predominantly white, male and old. Only 40% of umpires are ACO qualified. These statistics show the areas that need to be addressed.
MEMBERS
Yorkshire is by far the largest county. ECB splits the country into 39 county branches for administrative purposes. One eighth of the entire ACO membership are in Yorkshire. Most of our district Branches are larger than some of the counties. What we do in Yorkshire therefore make a big difference to the Association.
Yorkshire membership held up in 2014 (there are actually 5 fewer members in the current year) We gained 114 new members, compared with 124 members in 2013. The new members just about compensate for those who retire, for one reason or another. We try and keep a check on the members who leave, to see if there is any trend, and whether we need to take action to address particular issues. Unfortunately we can do nothing about advancing years. The numbers not renewing in 2014 were comparable with the numbers not renewing the previous year.
MEMBERSHIP
Subscriptions remain the same. They are due on 1st January each year.
Members who pay be cheque or card will receive a renewal letter or e-mail in December 2014 reminding them they have to pay, when and how.
Members who pay by direct debit will not receive any reminder. Their subscription will be taken from the bank on 23rd January as previously advised to them.
However members will not be able to renew without a current DBS clearance. Members whose CRB/DBS clearance expires before 31st January 2015 will be advised, in advance, that they will not be able to renew if they do not obtain an up to date clearance.
Those who have to renew their DBS should receive notice from the authority, with the paperwork necessary. Members should remember that now only one certificate is issued, and it is returned to the member. The member has to forward the certificate to Nottingham. All this is explained, and the member is provided with an addressed envelope to make it as easy as possible.
IT IS THE MEMBER’S OWN PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT HE HAS A CURRENT DBS CLEARANCE.
Members will receive confirmation by letter or e-mail once their membership has been processed, or to advise them of any problem.
In 2015 members will receive a Membership Card. It will be sent electronically, as part of the confirmation letter, but it should be possible to print it off as a card. Perhaps some enterprising Branches will arrange for these cards to be printed off on laminated card for their members.
MEMBERSHIP WEBSITE
All members are encouraged to check the “Membership Website” to ensure that their personal details are correct, and to make any changes that are necessary.
EDUCATION
Details of ACO courses are attached. There will be more courses arranged over the winter. Check with your local Branch, and also keep an eye on the new YCB ACO web site.
SCORERS
Scorers are underrepresented within the membership figures, and hopefully ECB will come up with a way of addressing this. There is a reluctance to drop the subscription for scorers, so we shall have to look at improving the overall package to scorer members.
It is intended more scorers will be trained. We hope to run more scorers’ courses, both Introductory courses and at Level 1. Eventually these courses will be offered as on-line courses.
MERCHANDISE
The contract with Duncan Fearnley is now being managed by Martin Gentle, the MSO.
There have been problems with Fearnleys in the past, and members have complained to me about quality and price. Martin is working with the Company to offer a wide range of quality clothing and equipment, at a price which represents the quality and the exclusivity of the ECB ACO brand. I am assured quality issues have been addressed and resolved.
There will be a new range offered in the next catalogue which will be available on line in February 2015, in time for you to purchase the equipment you need for the new season. The new equipment will include an on field gilet, coloured polo shirts, a personalised laptop case and even sun glasses. Hopefully there will be a range of clothing, in particular on field kit, for lady members.
Steven Wood
VMOST
I urge you to look at the Plan for ACO for the period 2014 – 2017 which is attached, although the T (tactics) is not included
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FUTURE NEWSLETTERS
Please let me have information, comments, articles for publication in future Newsletters.
As editor I reserve the right to alter or amend any contribution, or to refuse to publish if I regard the material as offensive or in any way not fit for publishing
Please let me hear from you
Steven A Wood
YCB ACO Secretary/Membership Services Secretary
5,Camp Square, Thorner, Leeds LS14 3BX
Tel 0113 2893121
E-mail -
YCB ACO Umpire Training Courses – Winter 2014/2015
Level 1
Courses have already been arranged as follows:
Location / Dates / ContactPudsey Congs CC / Saturdays 24th, 25th Jan & 7th Feb:
12.00pm to 5.00pm / Philip Radcliffe – 07740853047
Doncaster CC / Sundays 4th Jan to 22nd Feb:
7.00pm to 9.00pm / Stuart Roberts - 01302851516
Rotherham Phoenix SC / Wednesdays 4th Feb to 25th March:
7.00pm to 9.30pm / Alan Farnell - 01142305760
Sheffield Transport SC / Thursdays 22nd Jan to 12th March:
7.30pm to 9.30pm / Alan Farnell – 01142305760
Marriott Hotel, York / Mondays 12th Jan to 2nd March:
7.30pm to 9.30pm / Rob Smith – 07932323757
Please contact the named person for further enquiries about each specific course.
It is anticipated that courses will also be held in Leeds, Scarborough, Hull and Ripley, Nr Harrogate
Level 1A
Anyone wishing to attend a Level 1A course must have passed Level1, done at least a season’s umpiring and be a member of ECB ACO.
Candidates who passed Level 1 last winter have already been contacted, but if anyone else who is interested should contact Rob Smith – 07932323757 for further details.
Courses have been arranged as follows:
Location / Dates / ContactAcomb CC, York / Sundays 11th & 18th January
9.30pm to 4.00pm / Rob Smith – 07932323757
Undercliffe CC, Bradford / Saturdays 21st & 28th February
12.00pm to 5.00pm / Philip Radcliffe – 07740853047
Rotherham Phoenix SC / Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th February
10.00am to 4.30pm / Alan Farnell – 01142305760
Level 2
There are two courses available here, the full Level 2 course and the Level 2C course.
Each course has the same classroom/workshop element, but the full Level 2 course requires candidates to complete a portfolio of evidence of capability. The portfolio will be much like that for Level 1A but requires a minimum of 10 match planners and self-assessments and two off-field observations. This portfolio will then be sent to an assessor ahead of a Professional Discussion at the end of the season following the classroom/workshop.
The full course is aimed at umpires who aspire to umpire at ECB Premier League standard or beyond and who wish to join the progression pathway.
Level 2C is aimed at umpires who simply wish to benefit from further training without the added burden of paperwork.
Level 1A is a pre-requisite for Levels 2 and 2C.