Umpires helping make Cricket Australia’s favourite sport Š Craig Thomas 2011
Background In mid 2011 I noticed Cricket Australia’s Facebook appeal to individuals to join the promotion of cricket in this country to make it ‘Australia’s Favourite Sport’. The advertisment grabbed my attention as I have been promoting cricket at the grass roots level that CA was referring to all my life. I applied, was fortunate enough to secure an interview and, although I didn’t acquire the position in a paid capacity, I was able to gather a deeper understanding of what CA is attempting to achieve across Australia from the ground up. And so it was that I continued on in my voluntary role as coach of junior cricketers in my local association. I teamed this with my other position of SACA umpire. As the season progressed I found myself in a position to witness an apparent hurdle to CA’s goal - my 16-year-old son pointed out to me that a significant proportion of the umpiring that his team was experiencing was being conducted at such a low level that it was causing the players to question why they were bothering to play at all. I could immediately see a correlation between the goal of CA to promote cricket to optimum popularity from the most junior of competitions up, and the stumbling block of a lacklustre umpiring culture at the community club level. It became evident to me that for players on the verge of stepping into senior competition there is a definite threat to their continued enthusiasm coming from their disenchantment of a game that is losing its spirit when the umpiring is regarded as a chore. I realized there was scope to address this situation and so I approached my local association about presenting an informal educational evening for the volunteers involved. This was met with much enthusiasm by the association committee and the event was arranged. I prepared a short talk and an information handout that was aimed at providing volunteers with support in the form of
education about their role and contact details for me so that they knew they had someone who was easily accessible to them to refer to. The response of the people who attended was positive, but the attendance was small. It was clear that people have so much to do that this was just another thing to add to their list and that they couldn’t see the reason to prioritise it. Later, when speaking to others in the general community, I found that many believe it will be impossible to change the culture that is currently entrenched - that being that umpiring a game of cricket with respect for the importance and spirit of the game is insignificant and should be endured as quickly and simply as possible. It seems clear that on one side there is a group of young cricket enthusiasts who want to play a game that they feel provides them with a level playing field and is adjudicated by people who understand the role of umpire and its importance to the spirit of the game. On the other side there is a group of volunteers who, for various reasons don’t regard umpiring as necessary and who can’t justify to themselves allocating time to educate themselves in umpiring skills. The result is alienation of the very people it is hoped will give cricket the coveted title of “Australia’s Favourite Sport”. Years ago I was a Milo in2Cricket dad. I understand that this is where the CA program starts. Naturally, this is where a positive umpiring culture starts too. If parents want their little ones to try cricket they can do this fairly easily with what is offered right now. The challenge is keeping those same people involved and enthusiastic as the children grow into teenagers. The progress that the Milo program makes can be undone at the community club level if the umpiring doesn’t grow along with the skill of the players. Those growing players are the people who will choose whether or not they spend their money on cricket in the future. I have a passion for cricket and I have the confidence to umpire a game in the spirit that is intended. But many parents who’s children want to try the game are not in the same position as me. The confidence and understanding is not there. And it appears to me that there isn’t enough support for them to access. As I’ve mentioned, I’ve
made a recent attempt to rectify that in my local community and, due to so many activities vying for people’s attention, it was met with a lukewarm response. I am a parent of teenagers and I do understand why this issue can be put in the “too hard basket”. But if the umpiring culture at the community level doesn’t improve I can see that it will remain an “invisible fence” that CA will always be trying to get over. Milo in2Cricket is a fun activity aimed at younger Australians who are looking around for a sport that they can continue to be involved in as they grow. Similarly, umpiring needs to be promoted and supported so that people feel equipped to perform it for their children’s teams as they progress. Which means umpiring, like playing, needs to be promoted as enjoyable and satisfying. It is vying for the volunteer, like so many other good causes, so there needs to be an edge. I have only had dealings with one community association in one state. I suspect that the story is similar all over Australia. And, clearly, noone is likely to take notice of just one man. Something as big as changing a culture needs the backing of Cricket Australia to succeed.
Ultimate Goal To make Cricket Australia’s Favourite Sport Goal To improve retention and interest of junior players once they have made the commitment to join a team. Hurdle Well meaning Parents/Volunteers without knowledge and confidence officiating in junior grass roots Community cricket. Implementation Seminars to provide the officials with the skills and confidence to encourage Spirit of Cricket, value team environment and above all enjoy the great game we play.
At Milo in2Cricket level there needs to be a “carrot” to entice volunteers to take on board the importance of the role of umpire so that by the time their children are involved in community club level the issues of poor umpiring are non-existent. Find a way to reward volunteers for undertaking adequate umpiring education for the level applicable to the cricket they are involved in. Establish and promote an association between improving the level of umpiring by volunteers and a healthy, all-inclusive family activity that nurtures communication between parents and children. My Involvement I have been immersed in community club level cricket for the past 37 years and I will continue to be involved ad infinitum. Thankfully I have been able to develop this involvement for the past five seasons by joining SACA as a grade cricket umpire. It’s this immersion in the sport that has seen me want to give back to it at an ever increasing rate. As I was made aware of Cricket Australia’s vision to “make cricket Australia’s favourite sport” I felt I had to pass on my thoughts when I realized that I had found something that I believe is a genuine impediment to CA’s goal. I am happy to be contacted at any time to discuss this in order to find a solution to this issue. Email: Mob:
thomas.craig@y7mail.com 0434 165 310
Look forward to hearing from you.