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Middlesex ACO Introduction to Umpiring
Free – 2½ hours
This course has been developed and run by Middlesex ACO.
A friendly, non‑technical introduction for anyone curious about umpiring or wanting confidence in junior or social cricket. You’ll cover the most common Laws and match situations: preparation, the Toss, boundaries, No balls, Wides, dismissals, Dead ball, Byes and Leg byes.
These courses are subject to demand. If you are interested in this course, please drop us an email at education.courses@middlesexaco.com and we will let you know when and where the next course is due to run.
ECB Umpiring Course
1 day – £70
This course is not run by the Middlesex ACO but administered and delivered nationally by the ECB Officiating Department.
This is the basic entry-level course for social and junior cricket and the first step on the formal ECB promotion pathway. If your goal is to become a panel umpire, this course is normally required.
Attendees receive free ACO membership for their first year (worth £35 in 2026).
ECB Umpiring Courses available in Middlesex as follows:
ECB Umpiring Course – (Middlesex)
Date: Saturday 26th September 2026
Timings: 10am – 4.30pm
Venue: Middlesex Indoor Cricket School, East End Road, London, N3 2TA
Unique Booking Link: https://booking.ecb.co.uk/O3XKrR
ECB Umpiring Course – (Middlesex)
Date: Sunday 11th October 2026
Timings: 10am – 4.30pm
Venue: North London Cricket Club, Montenotte Road, London, N8 8RL
Unique Booking Link: https://booking.ecb.co.uk/AoRvZ8
These courses, and also those outside of Middlesex, can be found on the ECB Course finder: https://www.ecb.co.uk/course-finder
ECB ACO Umpire Development Course
1 day (or three evenings) – £20
This course has been developed nationally by ECB ACO and delivered by county ACOs.
This course builds significantly on the basic ECB Umpiring Course and is essential for anyone aiming to become a competent Club Umpire or progress towards panel cricket.
Topics include:
- Role of the umpire
- Pre‑match preparation
- Match regulations
- Captains’ briefing and the Toss
- Appeals and dismissals
- Scoring runs
- Dead ball situations
- The over
- No balls and Wides
- Unfair play and conduct
- Positioning and movement
- Duty of care and ECB safety regulations
You do not need to be an ACO member to book this course.
Course booking details
UDC 1 – ECB ACO Umpire Development Course
Date: Sunday 15th November 2026
Timings: 9am – 5.30pm
Venue: North London CC, Montenotte Road, London, N8 8RL
There will also be a 1 hour pre-course Zoom meeting at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 11 November 2026.
If you are interested in this course, please drop us an email at education.courses@middlesexaco.com and we will let you know when the booking link is available.
UDC 2 – ECB ACO Umpire Development Course
Date: Saturday 29th November 2026
Timings: 9am – 5.30pm
Venue: North London CC, Montenotte Road, London, N8 8RL
There will also be a 1 hour pre-course Zoom meeting at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 25 November 2026.
If you are interested in this course, please drop us an email at education.courses@middlesexaco.com and we will let you know when the booking link is available.
A further ECB ACO Umpire Development Course held over three evenings (one week apart) is being arranged for early in the New Year 2027. Details will be posted here as soon as available.
Middlesex ACO Umpire Progression Course
2 days – £40
This course has been developed and run by Middlesex ACO.
A comprehensive course for those aiming to umpire at higher levels of recreational cricket, whether as a Club Umpire or Panel Umpire.
It builds on the Umpire Development Course and covers more technical Laws and detailed application of league regulations, including:
- Rain interruptions
- Slow over rate penalties
- Powerplays
- Free hits
- Wide ball applications
- Penalty time
- Runners for injured batters
- Field craft
You do not need to be an ACO member to book this course. You must first, however, have booked or attended the ECB ACO Umpire Development Course (or equivalent).
Course booking details
The provisional dates for two courses are:
UPC 1 – Middlesex ACO Umpire Progression Course – Sunday 24th January 2027 & Sunday 7th February 2027
UPC 2 – Middlesex ACO Umpire Progression Course – Sunday 7th March 2027 & Sunday 21st March 2027
Timings: 9am – 5.30pm
Venue: to be ascertained
If you are interested in this course, please drop us an email at education.courses@middlesexaco.com and we will let you know when the booking links are available.
Further umpire resources
ECB Online Basics of Umpiring (Free)
https://basicsofumpiring.ecb.co.uk
MCC Laws eLearning (Free)
https://laws.lords.org/login/index.php
MCC Laws App (Free)
Search “MCC Laws App” in your smartphone’s app store.
Printed Laws (“Blue Book”)
£4 from the Lord’s Shop
Free Downloadable PDF – Laws in force from 1 October 2027
https://www.lords.org/getattachment/8c96a135-beff-4a46-b5c6-2a02a7245386/Laws-of-Cricket-2017-Code-4th-Edition-(2026).pdf
Further umpire education for Middlesex ACO members
CPD Modules (2.5 hours each)
Topics include:
- On‑field teamwork
- Applying Law 43
- Creating a crib sheet
- Practical match management
- Rain‑affected match workshop
- Planning and preparation
- Positioning, movement and routines
- Effective decision making
- Managing player conduct
- Dead ball
- Player safety
- Ground, weather and light
- Effective communication
Members will be notified when modules are available.