Course Descriptions

IIICUS accredited training:
The most popular training offered by IICUS is likely to be the three-unit course that, if successfully completed, earns the learner an BTEC Level 2 Certificate awarded by Edexcel. The first two of these units are 'classroom'-based and also involve workshop sessions and home study. The third involves both independent and self-assessment of umpiring performance through field experience in cricket matches.
In normal circumstances Unit 1 sessions run from October up to Christmas, Unit 2 sessions start in the New Year, finishing about mid-March, with Unit 3 taking place in the playing season that follows. It is thus possible to complete the entire course over a twelve-month period. Learners, however, are not obliged to do this at such a speed. The course may be taken in stages over as many years as the learner wishes, but it is not possible to take Unit 3 without first having successfully completed Units 1 and 2.

The units are:

Unit 1 - Laws of Cricket. Laws knowledge alone does not make a good umpire, but no umpire can ever be a good one without a comprehensive understanding of the Laws of the game. U1 is a course in 12 theme-based sessions of approximately two and a half hours each. Each concentrates on the Laws related to the specific theme, with special reference to those most likely to be administered during matches - LBW and No ball for example. A considerable amount of home study is also required, together with regular written work.
In addition to ongoing assessment throughout, the Unit concludes with a multiple choice/multiple option examination.

Unit 2 - Man and match management. While cricket is not a contact sport and has a long tradition off 'gentlemanly' behaviour, the increasingly competitive - 'win at all costs' - nature of society these days is inevitably reflected within cricket, too. Similarly the 'duty of care' responsibilities upon all sports officials grow relentlessly year on year. U2 is a set of 8 sessions, of approximately two and a half hours each, covering key aspects of man management, conflict resolution, field craft, duty of care and health and safety guidelines. Each session is individually assessed.

Unit 3 - Practical experience. ( NB: Because IICUS mandates that all its officials require IICUS insurance and CRB certification, learners are obliged to upgrade their membership by subscribing to the Activity Package* before taking U3). U3 consists of a season's umpiring experience in an appropriate level of cricket. Learners' performance during this time will be independently assessed by specialist Boundary Assessors in a minimum of xx matches. Additionally learners will be required to complete a self-assessment log of all matches in which they stood during this period. Training in self-assessment techniques will be given. (*This is described in the Membership entry.)

Procedures for 'failing':
If a learner fails to satisfy one or more of the Learning Objectives then....

NEED HERE A DESCRIPTION OF WHAT HAPPENS. DOES HE RE-TAKE THE LOT , OR JUST THE BIT HE FAILED? HOW IS THE RE-TAKE ORGANISED AND ASSESSED? ETC, ETC.

Prior learning exemption:
Edexcel, like most validating bodies, will not grant an exemption from a Unit or Units for those joining IICUS with a 'part-qualification' from another umpire training body that does not itself award independently validated qualifications. Those joining IICUS with existing ACU&S GL6 or GL5 qualifications, for example, and wishing to earn the qualification are strongly advised to take U1 - using the experience as a useful 'refresher'. Alternatively they can request an IICUS exemption from taking U1, which will usually be granted. They may then start the IICUS course from the U2 stage, but will only be eligible for the IICUS Award qualification at the successful conclusion of U3, not the Edexcel qualification.

Edexcel Certificates:
Edexcel seeks to make money from its Certificates and charges £150 for each one. It is felt unlikely that many IICUS Learners will wish to pay that amount for a piece of paper, but they should be offered the opportunity to do so. All successful learners will receive an IICUS certificate.

Unit 4 - more advanced training:
Many umpires, statistically, have little desire to practise their craft at the higher levels of the recreational game; by no means does everyone wish to stand in Premier League or County Second X1 matches. For those who do have such ambitions IICUS offers Unit 4 to help them on the road to fulfilling them...

• U4 consists of a further year's field experience, which should be carried out in the highest standard of cricket available to the learner. The learner will be expected to produce rigorous self-assessment logs of all matches and will also be independently assessed by Boundary Assessors in a minimum of XX of them. At the end of the season the learner will be expected to pass a comprehensive IICUS oral examination.
• The U4 qualification is designed by IICUS as a higher level test.

Renewing qualifications:
The award is a qualification for life. But IICUS requires its members to renew their qualification every few years by attendance at a Grade Renewal Course, usually a few sessions on new legislation and the sharing of the latest best-practice. The timeframe in which the member needs to attend one of these courses is noted on the central database.
Failure to attend will result in the member's qualification being downgraded to the level below - for example, someone who had achieved U4 but not renewed it would slip back to become a U3. To regain his previous level the member will have to re-take the full U4 course. This area covered more full in the entry for Grading & Assessment .