The Middlesex ACO run a number of courses for umpires over the close season. Below are details of the courses with venues and dates for 2019/20.
Are you required to umpire for 5 or 10 overs at the weekend? Are you confident in the white coat? If not try the free ECB ACO Occasional Umpire Resource
Umpire Introductory
This short 3 hour standalone course will give any cricket enthusiast curious about becoming an umpire a taste for what the role entails, and outline what lies ahead if you would like to pursue your interest. It will provide you with an understanding of cricket umpiring and allow you to develop your skills through training and practical experience. It won’t teach you everything you need to know, but it will give you the tools to start off and is an ideal course for those who will umpire an occasional colts match, or who has to stand for their 10 overs in a senior game.
Venue:
Middlesex Indoor School at Finchley, 47-49 East End Road, London N3 2TA
Cost:
Free
12 October 2019 – (10:30 am to 1:30 pm) – Fully booked
28 March 2020 – (10:30 am to 1:30 pm)
Dates and how to book
Umpire Stage One
This course lasting two full days or five evenings is designed to give you an overview of the basic Laws of the game and how to apply them and introduce the principles of field craft and match management. It will give you the tools to enable you to umpire matches at the basic recreational level where there are no independent umpires appointed.
If you have already been umpiring matches or are an experienced player who has a reasonably sound knowledge of the game and aspire to umpire in the lower leagues you may want to also do the Stage Two Course, and this may be booked at the same time. The Stage Two course normally costs £30, but your Stage One confirmation email will contain a discount code for a £20 discount.
However, if you want to get out and about umpiring quickly without committing any further you can book Stage One and take Stage Two at a later time once you have gained some umpiring experience and if and when you decide you want to progress. The £20 discount will apply whether you take the Stage Two course immediately or wait until next year.
You are strongly advised to do the MCC eLearning Laws Course and basic exam in advance of the course starting.
Venues:
Lord’s Cricket Ground, St John’s Wood, London NW8 8QN
Ealing Cricket Club, Corfton Rd, Hanger Hill, London W5 2HS
Harrow Cricket Club, Wood End Rd, Harrow HA1 3PP
Cost:
The Course costs £30 and includes membership of ECB ACO for the first year (normally £30) with the full range of benefits, including insurance, that come with this.
Dates and how to book
Lord’s – 3rd and 10th November 2019 (9:15 am to 4:45 pm) – Fully booked
Lord’s – 24th November and 1st December 2019 (9:15 am to 4:45 pm) – Fully booked
Ealing – 14th, 21st, 28th January 2020 and 4th, 11th February 2020 (07:15 pm to 9:30 pm)
Harrow – 19th and 26th January 2020 (9:00 pm to 4:30 pm)
Umpire Stage Two
This three day course is designed to give you further knowledge and skills sufficient to enable you to become a member of a league panel and is available to anyone who has attended the Stage One course. It will complement that course by looking beyond the basic laws, build on field craft and match management techniques and introduce the concept of working, as a team, with a colleague.
You are strongly advised to do the MCC eLearning Laws Course and basic exam in advance of the Course starting.
When the course finishes you may optionally seek accreditation (there is an additional fee of £40). There is no obligation to seek accreditation but the Saturday leagues in Middlesex are likely to require it if you wish to umpire at that level. Those seeking accreditation will be appointed a mentor, an experienced umpire who will help you reach the required standard. Once he/she is happy with your performance you will be formally assessed.
Accreditation will be explained in more detail during the course. You do not need to make a decision as to whether to seek accreditation until after the course has finished. If you so wish, you may also defer your decision until a later season.
Venues:
Lord’s Cricket Ground, St John’s Wood, London NW8 8QN
Harrow Cricket Club, Wood End Rd, Harrow HA1 3PP
Cost:
£30 (or £10 if you also have booked Stage One)
Dates and how to book
Lord’s 2nd, 9th, 16th February 2020 (9:00 am to 5:00 pm)
Harrow 23rd February and 1st, 8th March 2020 (9:00 am to 5:00 pm)
Umpire Stage Three
This two day course is designed for experienced umpires who aspire to stand at the highest level of league cricket and is available to anyone who has attended the Stage One and Two courses or equivalent. As well as the interpretation and application of Law it also covers the management of the match, the field and the players on it. Man management and other practical aspects are also covered. The course will be suitable for those umpires who, although not aspiring to Premier league cricket, still want to develop their skills to be the best umpire they can be.
You are encouraged to do the MCC eLearning Laws Course and intermediate exam in advance of the course starting.
When the course finishes you may optionally seek accreditation (there is an additional fee of £60). There is no obligation to seek accreditation but the Saturday leagues in Middlesex are likely to require it if you wish to umpire at the higher level. Those seeking accreditation will be appointed a mentor, an experienced umpire who will help you reach the required standard. Once he/she is happy with your performance you will be formally assessed.
Accreditation will be explained in more detail during the course. You do not need to make a decision as to whether to seek accreditation until after the course has finished. If you so wish, you may also defer your decision until a later season.
Venue:
Middlesex Indoor School at Finchley, 47-49 East End Road, London N3 2TA
Cost:
£40
Dates and how to book
29th February and 14th March 2020 (9:00 am to 5:30 pm)