ACU&S (HKC) seminars to promote understanding of rules and improve umpiring skills

The ACU&S (HKC) has been working with the LCMC to bring about some changes which should not only help to promote a better understanding of the Laws of the game of cricket, but also improve the quality of umpiring and increase the general level of enjoyment of cricket in Hong Kong.

The aim ultimately is to be able to provide two neutral umpires at every game of cricket across all HKCA leagues.

For several seasons now, there has been a clause in the HKCA Playing Conditions that states that all Saturday League teams should have at least two players who have completed a basic umpiring seminar or further umpiring qualification. This ruling will now be enforced along the lines agreed at the LCMC Meeting of 8th October 2008.

Both the HKCC and KCC have agreed to provide an umpire to stand in all Saturday League games played at the two clubs. A second neutral umpire will be appointed to stand by the ACU&S. All Independent clubs will nominate at least two representatives who will be available to stand on weekends when their club has a bye.

Please note that all clubs will be required to nominate their two or more umpiring representatives by 1st February 2009. Those clubs failing to do so will be referred to the MDC.

In order to provide an opportunity for clubs to ensure they have sufficient qualified representatives, the ACU&S scheduled two umpiring seminars. The first was held at the KCC on 29th November 2008.

Nominated club umpiring representatives will be required to join the ACU&S and membership forms will be available at the seminar or by request from the Secretary, Kevin Bishop. Members will be contacted for their availability in due course by the Appointments Secretary, Ghulam Saqlain.

ACU&S members are entitled to an Association polo shirt and sunhat, courtesy of Montgomery Sports.

All ACU&S umpires standing in Hong Kong league cricket will receive a fee, thus ensuring that no one willing to give up their time to stand will end up out of pocket. The fees as agreed by the LCMC are as follows:

Saturday League, Women's League, Junior League, Challenge League, Saturday Cup, and Twenty20 games: HK$ 150 per umpire per game, or HK$ 250 per game for an umpire standing alone.

Sunday League, Sunday Cup and Super League games: HK$ 400 (qualified) / HK$ 300 (intermediate) per umpire per day, or HK$ 600 / HK$ 450 per day for an umpire standing alone.

For the convenience of all concerned, the umpiring fees will be tallied twice during a season - once at the end of December and once at the end of the season - and the ACU&S will submit a total bill to the HKCA. On receipt of the money from the HKCA, the ACU&S will then pass on the fees to each umpire individually.