THE NEED FOR THE IICUS CERTIFICATE IN CRICKET UMPIRING

First, because there is no independent, internationally-recognised, umpire qualification or grading body; there are no internationally-consistent, umpires' education and development training Courses; independently-awarded qualifications, or grading systems currently in existence.

Second, because the International Cricket Council (ICC), the European Cricket Council (ECC) and each of the different national governing bodies in each cricket-playing country run their own local versions of umpire training Courses with the result that standards of training and individual competence vary enormously from country to country and umpire to umpire. And, not only from country to country, but also within countries, because few umpire Instructors (Tutors) have, themselves, been either formally trained or professionally assessed, on how to teach the correct interpretation and application of the Laws of Cricket.

Third, because too many umpires fail either to understand or believe the importance of the need to demonstrate their respect for the game by ensuring that they are professionally trained to the highest possible standards of competence - irrespective of the levels at which they officiate; and,

Fourth, because, due to ever-increasing poor standards of player behaviour, there is a chronic, worldwide, shortage of consistently-competent, formally-qualified, umpires; particularly in recreational (community) cricket. In the UK alone, for example, more than 2,000,000 individuals participate each season in recreational cricket in all its forms at all levels - ranging from schools, village and 'grass-roots' non-league clubs' matches, up to the ECB-designated 'focus clubs', Premier Leagues', Minor Counties' matches and national competitions - requiring an average of 1,000,000 (one million) umpire and scorer appointments needing to be filled for the 250,000+ matches that are played.

The current situation is that a majority of matches below Premier Leagues level have to rely on untrained 'players' (from the batting side), or school coaches or teachers, to act as umpires, and a succession of reluctant untrained players or their offspring to score, with the inevitable problems this creates.

Consequentially, today's umpires and scorers at all levels of cricket need to be better and more thoroughly trained than ever before, utilising the very same technology used by the broadcasters. Moreover they need regular, professional competence-based assessment and re-appraisals to ensure that they continue to maintain the highest possible standards of field performance that the players and spectators have a right to expect. They also need education in areas unthought-of a few years ago to establish and maintain their authority, e.g. in field-craft techniques; communication and man-management skills; and conflict prevention and resolution (the use of humour and body-language to control players' behaviour and to head off potentially explosive situations). In short, although 'amateurs', they now need to be taught how to be more 'professional' in their attitude and approach.

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