Young Officials
Connor’ s Corner
Connor McGarry – a 16-year-old umpire from Staffordshire – has just experienced his first year on the Young Officials’ scheme. Staffordshire County Board asked him to document his first appointment at the London Schools Festival, so here is Connor’ s account.
My Week at the London Schools Cricket Festival with the ECB Young Officials
In June 2016, I received an exciting email that would take me to Oundle in Peterborough to umpire the London Schools Cricket Festival. I would be one of 12 people that would umpire five 50-overs-a-side cricket matches over a week at the end of July.
I arrived at Oundle Boarding School on the Sunday afternoon to a debriefing session and allocation of my room for the five-night stay. During the debrief I met my 11 colleagues and was also introduced to our mentors, Alan English and Terry Bentham. This was also an opportunity for the umpires to find out the agenda for the week and to learn which teams we were umpiring on each day. The rest of the evening was spent getting to know each other, which entailed an innovative cricket match using hockey sticks!
On the Monday morning( and to be honest each morning) after filling up with a full English breakfast, the games started.
Each day came with learning curves mixed with the excitement of the games. The most stimulating of the games I umpired was between Cheshire and Cleveland, where Cheshire despatched Cleveland for 408 runs over the 50 overs.
At the end of the week, despite feeling somewhat weary, the presentation event took place and the winning team, Nottinghamshire, were presented with the London Schools Cricket Festival trophy. Unexpectedly, all umpires were also presented with a medal for their part in the festival.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my week at Oundle, meeting new colleagues, learning new techniques and the experience of being at the festival.
Oliver Thorpe
Another Young Official who we spotted in the local media was Oliver Thorpe from Northern Ireland. Having read his story, we were inspired to find out more about his journey into umpiring and how he has overcome a debilitating condition to stay involved in the sport he loves.
What Was it that Got You into Umpiring?
Cricket is my passion. I live and breathe the game – sometimes to the annoyance of my friends and family! They joke with me that I can turn a discussion, on any topic under the sun, around to cricket!
While I was lucky enough to have had the opportunity to try lots of sports as a child, for some reason – that I can’ t quite pin down – cricket was the standout sport that I really enjoyed.
I began playing with my local under-11s side in Ballymena at the age of eight. I played there for a while before moving to Muckamore Cricket Club in Antrim.
I was born with cerebral palsy and this restricts me using my right arm and leg. I also experience difficulties with my balance and coordination. Not ideal for a sport that requires dexterity, strength and coordination! While everyone at Muckamore Cricket Club, including the coaches and players, have been brilliantly supportive of me playing cricket, I began to realise that I was never going to be an international cricketer, playing in an Ashes series for England or a Cricket World Cup for Ireland. So, after being a member of the under-15 Ulster league-winning side in 2013, I started looking for other ways to continue my involvement in cricket, and an obvious option was to get involved in umpiring.
I contacted my local association, Northern Ireland Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers( NIACUS) and they invited me to the Level 1 umpiring course at the start of 2015. I passed the exam and that opened the door for me, beginning my journey as a cricket official. I am not sure if this is a fact, but I am told that I am the youngest qualified umpire in Ireland. My one and only claim to fame!
What Do You Enjoy about Being a Cricket Official?
There are so many reasons! I enjoy visiting a new ground every week, grounds that I may never have had the opportunity to play at. I have recently gained a driving licence and this has given me the freedom to officiate at games held further away than at my local clubs – this has, in particular, pleased my parents!
Also, umpiring gives me the opportunity to meet and develop friendships with lots of other people – of all ages and from lots of different backgrounds – who share my passion in the game. I also love the buzz around games. The way I see it, is that if I am umpiring in Senior League level and this is such fun, I can only imagine what the experience would be like at an interprovincial or international standard!
What Training Have You Had Thus Far?
I have completed the ECB ACO Level 1 award and I am currently undertaking the ECB ACO Level 1A award. I am at the stage of writing detailed reports for my 2016 season portfolio. I am hopefully on track to complete this stage, and I plan to continue to work my way up the framework and attain the ECB ACO Level 2 certificate as soon as possible. I am also studying for my A levels at the moment so I will have to work the umpiring training around my academic studies – my mum told me to say that!
How Has the ECB ACO Helped You on Your Journey as an Official?
I have found the ECB ACO very helpful and supportive as they have provided high-quality training and resources to support my development as an official.
My local association, NIACUS, have given me their full support. Given my age, when I started training, the
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