JOIN ECB ACO

THE BEST DECISION YOU'LL EVER MAKE

Welcome Umpire courses – It’s your callScorers courses – Scorers countSupported developmentJoining ECB ACOFrequently asked questions

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CONTENTS

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Whether it’s the spectacle of a First-Class Test match or a recreational game on the local playing field, cricket at all levels depends on the enthusiasm and dedication of its officials.

ECB ACO is the Association of Cricket Officials which represents umpires and scorers on behalf of the game’s national governing body, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). ECB ACO are looking to recruit, train and develop all cricket lovers interested in performing these crucial roles.

As well as providing a fun, rewarding way to engage with the sport, training as an official is a great way to support the health of the game. You don’t need any previous experience or qualifications – just a willingness to learn. Whatever level you aspire to, whatever pace you wish to learn at, our Education Programme has a pathway for you.

In this booklet we’ll give you an overview of the courses available as well as all the information you need to become an ECB ACO member.

“On behalf of ECB ACO, I’d like to extend a very warm welcome as you start your journey to becoming an officiator of the game. I trust you’ll enjoy the programme and that it will encourage you to support your local club or local league as a trained umpire, scorer or both!”

Nick Cousins ECB ACO Senior Executive Officer

WELCOME

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UMPIRE COURSES IT’S YOUR CALL

Introductory Course (2-4 hours)This short standalone course will give any cricket enthusiast curious about becoming an umpire a taste for what the role entails, and outline what lies ahead if you’d like to pursue your interest.

ECB ACO Level 1 Introduction to Practical Umpiring (12–16 hours, 6 modules)This course is designed to give you a comprehensive overview of the laws of the game, as well as the fundamentals of match management. It’ll leave you with the basic tools you’ll need if you want to umpire regularly. You must complete this course before moving onto Level 1A.

If you’d like to progress past Level 1 on the pathway, you will need to become an official member of ECB ACO.

ECB ACO Level 1A Understanding the Game (12–16 hours)On this participative programme you’ll compliment your knowledge of the laws of the game with a better understanding of how they’re applied in practice. As an official ECB ACO member, you’ll learn how to appraise your own decisions and start building towards the field craft techniques that are covered more comprehensively on the Level 2 course.

ECB ACO Level 2 Developing the experienced umpire (12–16 hours duration, 6 modules)This course is designed for experienced umpires who aspire to officiating at a higher level. As well as the interpretation and application of laws, it covers the management of matches, the field and the players on it. Positioning and other practical aspects of umpiring are covered and the course can also be used as a set of continuing professional development modules for anyone looking to refresh or hone the skills they’ve learnt at Level 1a.

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As an aspiring umpire, we’re sure you don’t mind making tough decisions. But we’re sure you’d rather keep them to the field. That’s why we’ve put together a flexible learning pathway you can work through at your own pace, as and when it suits you.

ECB ACO Level 3Introduction to semi-professional cricket (12–16 hours duration, 4 modules)This is the course for those who wish to work at the highest level of recreational cricket, putting together everything they to need to become a confident, well-rounded umpire. It can also be used as a set of continuing professional development modules for anyone who’s completed Level 2.

Introductory Course

2–3 hours Workshop

County Certificate

Level 1 Course

14–16 hours + Assessment

ECB ACO

Level 1

Certificate

Level 2 programme

Fieldcraft and Techniques programme

ECB ACO Level 2 Certificate

Entry Points

Level 2 certificate +

County grading +

nomination to RPO

Entry Points

Level 1A certificate

+ performance

Entry Points

Level 1 certificate +

match experience

Entry Points

No prior

experience

required

Entry Points

Level 2 certificate +

County grading +

nomination to RPO

Entry Points

Level 1A certificate

+ performance

ECB ACO EDUCATION AND SUPPORTED DEVELOPMENT FOR UMPIRES

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Level 1A

Verification of best practice, performance and experience

Level 2 course

Fieldcraft and Techniques programme

County

Certificate

Level 3 course(available 2014)

Multi-day programme

County Certificate

Supported Development

Performance | Observation | Assessment | Coaching | Mentoring

Education + Performance = Appointment + Grading

Level 3 programme

Multi-day programme

ECB ACO

Level 3

Certificate

ACO membership ACO membership

ACO membership

SCORERS COURSES SCORERS COUNT

Introductory Course (2-4 hours)In this session you’ll find out just what being a scorer entails, which skills you’ll need to learn in order to score a game yourself, and whether the art of scoring appeals to you.

ECB ACO Level 1 How to record a cricket match (12 – 16 hours, six modules)If you’d like to score matches regularly, this course covers the basics such as scoring symbols, umpire signals and completion of the 10 parts of the scoring

record or book. On top of this, you’ll get a helpful overview of the laws of the game. You don’t need any prior knowledge to participate and, when you’ve completed the course and undergone a scorer assessment (which consists of scoring a match and verbally demonstrating your understanding of the role), you’ll receive an ECB ACO Level 1 scoring certificate.

If you’d like to progress past Level 1 on the pathway, you will need to become an official member of ECB ACO.

ECB ACO Level 1A Understanding the GameLevel 1a is open to any member of ECB ACO who’s completed Level 1. Rather than being a taught course, this award is attained once you’ve successfully recorded 10 matches. As well as keeping a record of the matches you score, you’ll need to pass an observation and a brief verbal examination with a Level 2 scorer to complete your assessment.

ECB ACO Level 2 Developing the experienced Scorer (12–16 hours, six modules)Designed for any experienced scorer who wishes to refresh or hone their skills, this course covers some more advanced areas of scoring, including; interpretation of law, alternative scoring methods, working alongside colleagues, statistics and differing rules and regulations.

ECB ACO Level 3 Advanced ScorerScorers can be nominated to receive the Level 3 award by their county or regional body (including ICC Europe) providing that they fulfil the necessary criteria. To be eligible you’ll need have amassed a strong body of experience, including multi-day matches and a variety of different competitions. You’ll need to be familiar with a number of soring methods such as linear and computer scoring, and you’ll need to be able to use the Duckworth-Lewis method to calculate the outcome of rain affected matches.

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There are a number of skills required to become a scorer and our learning pathway will help you get to grips with all of them from the very basics, to advanced techniques. Here’s an overview of the courses available and how they all fit together.

To help prepare you for Level 3, continuous professional development modules or other forms of training will be available.

Entry Points

Level 1 certificate +

match experience

Entry Points

No prior

experience

required

Entry Points

Level 2 certificate +

County grading +

nomination to RPO

Entry Points

Level 1A certificate

+ performance

ECB ACO EDUCATION AND SUPPORTED DEVELOPMENT FOR SCORERS

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Supported Development

• Perfromance

• Observation

• Assessment

• Coaching

• Mentoring

Supported DevelopmentL1 Assessor

• Observation

• Assessment

• Coaching

• Mentoring

Supported DevelopmentL2 Assessor

• Observation

• Assessment

• Coaching

• Mentoring

Introductory Course

2–3 hours Workshop

County Certificate ofattendance

Level 1 Course

14–16 hours + Assessment

ECB ACO

Level 1

Certificate

Level 1A

Verification of best practice, performance and experience

ECB ACOLevel 1A Certificate

Level 3 programme

Multi-day programme

ECB ACOLevel 3 Certificate

Level 2 programme

Techniques + Practices

Scorer portfolio

ECB ACO Level 2 Certificate

Level 2 programme

Techniques + Practices

Scorer portfolio

ECB ACO Level 2 Certificate

Education + Performance = Appointment + Grading

ACO membership ACO membership ACO membership

SUPPORTED DEVELOPMENT

MentoringAs well as passing on the knowledge they’ve amassed over the years, your tutor will help you to take charge of your own learning by giving you the tools to assess your performances and spot ways you can improve.

Coaching In areas where you simply need to be shown how to perform certain aspects of your role, they’ll coach you through it and help refine your technique over time.

ObservationBy casting a critical eye over your performances, they’ll help ensure that your progress is on track and advise how the situation can be remedied if you’re struggling in any particular area.

AssessmentAs time goes by the focus will move more towards measuring your performance and checking that you’re fulfilling all the necessary criteria to officiate at your chosen level.

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Aside from the tuition you’ll receive on each individual course, ECB ACO provide ongoing support to help you develop as you move through your pathway. You’ll work with experienced umpires and scorers who’ll be on hand to help you build on your skills. They’ll offer:

JOINING ECB ACO

ECB ACO educationThe introductory and Level 1 courses do not require you to be a ECB ACO member to attend, although you’ll miss out on the many benefits if you choose to go it alone. And, if you aspire to progress your officiating education further along the pathway with our more advanced level courses, then you will need to join.

InsuranceYou’ll be covered by the most comprehensive insurance package available. This not only covers you whilst you are officiating, but also during your travel to and from grounds.Further details of coverage can be found online www.ecb.co.uk/ecbaco

DBS certificate renewalAll members will benefit from being able to update their DBS certificates for free, or equally, ECB ACO members are entitled to a free DBS check (for more information on DBS see the frequently asked questions at the end of the booklet).

ECB ACO merchandiseWe have our own brand of field and leisurewear exclusively available to our members.

NewslettersWe’ll keep you updated with all the latest in the world of cricket scoring and umpiring with our own publication, issued three times a year and delivered to your door.

AppointmentsWith access to the official appointments website, Who’sTheUmpire.com, you’ll be able to put yourself forward to officiate fixtures at local level as well as in ECB competitions.

Mentoring and coachingAs you move through the umpire and scorer pathways, we’ll support you every step of the way.

National conferenceOur members are able to attend a number of exclusive seminars held at Lord’s, where they can hear the views of various notable cricket personalities.

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Now that you’ve heard more about the various umpire and scorer courses that are on offer, it’s time to find out about the many benefits of joining ECB ACO.

Exclusive offersWe can provide members with a number of attractive discounts on a range of useful items from cricket shoes to Total Cricket Scorer (TCS) software.

How to joinIf you’d like to become a member, it’s a simple case of filling out an application form (which you can download from www.ecb.co.uk/ecbaco or pick up from your county ACO whilst attending a course) and sending it to:

ECB ACO, ECB Offices, Warwickshire County Cricket Club, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B5 7QX.

Can anyone join?Yes. All you need, besides a passion for cricket, is a DBS certificate (which we’ll discuss in a bit more detail down the page)*.

If you’re aged 16-25 you’ll be a junior member. If you’re older you’ll be a full member.

What is a DBS certificate?The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate helps employers such as ECB make safer recruitment decisions. Specifically, it’s intended to ensure that only suitable persons are able to work with vulnerable groups, including children – hence its relevance to cricket officials.

How do I get a DBS certificate? To request an application form phone 0845 251 3000 or write to:

GB Group 1 Wilford Business Park, Ruddington Lane, Nottingham, NG11 7EP

The GB group will then give you all the instructions you need to complete the application. Please don’t contact ECB ACO regarding the specifics of your application, as we are unable to advise on these matters.

How long does the application process take?It can take up to eight weeks for your certificate to come through. So it’s best to apply at the start of your course to avoid any delays in gaining membership.

So I’ve qualified, what are my next steps?Congratulations, you’re ready to go! You have two options: Ask your course tutor to put you in touch with your County ACO, and they will guide you from there. Alternatively, contact ecb.aco@ecb.co.uk and we’ll put you in touch with your County ACO directly.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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If you have any more questions on what you need to do to become a member, we hope you find them answered below. If not, please don’t hesitate to contact us with your queries.

Calling all U25’sECB ACO are dedicated to a development programme for all U25’s.

In recent years this has seen Young Officials appointed to umpire and score at Lord’s, ECB National Finals and various cricket festivals throughout the country, including the prestigious Bunbury festival.

Please note you do not require a DBS if you live in Ireland, Scotland or mainland Europe.

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These appointments complement the work of mentors and assessors at county level to assist the development of ‘Young Officials’ and enable them to fulfil their potential.

Contact ecb.aco@ecb.co.uk for more information.

ECB ACO Membership ServicesWarwickshire Cricket GroundEdgbaston, Birmingham, B5 7QX

T +44 (0)121 446 2710 E ecb.aco@ecb.co.uk

STAYGAME

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