Association of Cricket Officials Issue 28 | Page 28

A Few Words From Your National Scorers’ Officer (NSO) ‘The times, they are a changing’, but the scorer’s mission remains the same. As we all know, scorers, by their very nature, want to be the best they can be. To provide a sure and certain, complete and precise record of the game they are involved in. They are a breed of being that desires good order. How lucky we are to be able to look for, and find, assistance from our peers. The ACO provides an opportunity for each and every member to improve and continue their development, if they so wish. Starting from our Scorer Education Manager (SEM) at the top, we have a network of tutors, Regional Scorer Officers (RSO) and County Scorer Officers (CSO) who invest their time and expertise in order to offer support and education, along with a variety of continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities by way of workshops and courses at all levels. In a nutshell, we are a lucky bunch of scorers! These last few months have seen a change at the top of our family tree. Although it does not please a few of our members, it is happening. Correction – it has happened. Therefore, it is up to us to embrace this change and make it work for us. It was a democratic process that decreed we will now be part of the ECB, not an ‘add-on’. We really do have a 28 great future within this body and as we now know from several years of experience, ACO is certainly a force for the good of all scorers. Let’s grasp this opportunity with both hands and go forward with increasing confidence. (No, I am not turning into an Evangelist. I simply have very positive belief about our way forward.) Scorers will no longer be the forgotten few who ‘just get on with it’ because we always have. Now is our opportunity to come out of the shadow of the scorebox and make our presence felt. Coaches, managers, analysts and players alike love the facts and figures that we produce. Maybe more of them should acknowledge just what a good job is done by the scorers and bring their influence to bear on those who decide on recognition at the conclusion of a cricket match? (Oh dear, maybe I have just talked myself out of a job!) As you can probably tell, I do feel quite passionate on this issue and baulk at the fact that, for many years, scorers have been the Cinderella of this wonderful game, or simply just forgotten as we blend in with the background. We have decided to include a new scorer-specific Frequently Asked Question section in the magazine. Please send your questions to [email protected] (we may of course have to edit content, if space is at a premium in any particular issue). email us at [email protected] contact us on 0121 446 2710