Introduction to Umpiring | Umpiring Level 1 | Umpiring Level 1A | Umpiring Level 2 | Scoring

Umpire and Scorer Training in Surrey

Every district association within Surrey offers training for new and developing umpires and scorers. Only the Surrey Championship Umpires Panel association, which exists (as the name suggests) to provide umpires to that competition, does not do so. Full details of dates, venues and prices can be found on the associations' individual pages, but the courses themselves are described in greater detail below.

ECB ACO Introduction to Umpiring Course

For groups interested in learning a little more about umpiring and dipping their toes in the water, we offer a 2.5 hour one-evening ECB ACO Introduction to Umpiring Course that deals with Laws such as No Ball, LBW and others as suits the audience. Not every association offers this course, but everywhere in the county is still covered, as those that do are prepared to send tutors beyond their normal catchment area. The evenings are organised on an ad hoc basis, as and when the groups wishing to undertake the course request them.

Course availability and contact details can be found on the associations' individual pages.

More details about the Introduction to Umpiring Course syllabus can be found here.

ECB ACO Level 1 Umpiring Course

For individuals wishing to take the first step on the qualification ladder and learning the Laws in more detail, each association runs the ECB ACO Level 1 Umpires' Qualification Course. It is not necessary to have attended an Introduction course to take Level 1. Some associations teach this course over several evenings on a weekly basis; others run it in a more concentrated format over one weekend. An optional examination follows the course.

Course dates and contact details can be found on the associations' individual pages.

More details about the Level 1 Umpiring Course syllabus can be found here.

ECB ACO Level 1A Umpiring Course

For those who have passed ECB ACO Level 1 Umpiring and wish to progress (or just wish to revise their knowledge) the next step is the ECB ACO Level 1A Umpires' Qualification Course, which studies the Laws taught at Level 1 in more depth and also introduces others. A significant part of the Level 1A Course deals with field-craft and man management issues, essential skills for an umpire when officiating in a match. The Level 1A qualification will be awarded upon successful completion of 3 components:

• Attendance at, and participation in, the classroom exercises (to which those just wishing to revise are welcome) and the completion of the course workbook.

• An Assessment of the umpire’s ability during a match. This is done either by a colleague or boundary assessor and will take place during the season following the classroom exercises.

• A Professional Discussion with an ECBACO Assessor. This will take place at the end of the season during which the above Assessment takes place.

Provided that these 3 components are completed successfully, the umpire will be awarded the Level 1A qualification. Should any of the above not be up to the standard required, the umpire will be deferred until the relevant component(s) have been successfully negotiated.

Classroom course dates and contact details can be found on the associations' individual pages.

ECB ACO Level 2 Umpiring Course

Umpires successful at Levels 1 & 1A and looking to officiate in 1st XI Premier Division cricket can progress to Level 2. The Level 2 qualification should take one, possibly two, further seasons to complete and consists of the following:

• An initial two day course focussing on the practical applications of the Laws - sessions in the classroom, practicals in the sportshall and an exercise on the field.

• Having kick-started the process the participants (candidates) then complete a season's umpiring at Premier League level (in Surrey, the Surrey Championship 1st XI competition), during which they have to keep a log of all the games they umpire. There are forms to complete in preparation for each match and self assessment forms to reflect on how the match went.

• At least two games during the season will be observed by an Assessor. These will be pre-arranged between the umpire and assessor and consist of a pre-match discussion, a more detailed boundary assessment, and post-match feedback from the assessor who will write a report for the candidate. If two boundary assessments cannot be arranged, one boundary assessment and two colleague assessments may be accepted instead.

• The completion of a workbook, which includes a section on each Law, requires the candidate to answer questions to demonstrate their understanding of the Laws and awareness of the umpires' role in managing the game within the Spirit of Cricket. The workbook is then forwarded to the County Performance Officer for checking and feedback.

At the end of the season, candidates who have successfully completed all the above will be invited to attend a Professional Discussion with different assessors. This will cover the workbook and assessment reports and, if satisfactory, the candidate's name will be passed to an external Verifier with a recommendation for accreditation as Level 2. If the candidate has struggled in any area, the Assessors may recommend that a second season be completed before accreditation.

There are two years allowed from registration to complete Level 2. The courses are run at a regional level, and Level 1A umpires interested in taking the course should contact the Training Officer of their local district association in the first instance.

ECB ACO Level 1 Scoring Course

A correspondence course is currently available. Suitable for all, this course addresses the basic score book entry information required by any scorer. The primary objective is that all participants will gain an understanding of the Laws of Cricket (2003) and how the application of these laws determines what should be recorded in the score book. If you would like to enrol for this course, or would like more information, please contact ECB ACO directly by email at ecbaco@ecb.co.uk or by calling 020 7432 1240.

A Level 1 Scoring taught course is available at both West Surrey ACU&S and East Surrey CU&SA. Check out the West Surrey page and/or the East Surrey page for course dates and contact details.