March 2010Supporting Cricket in West Surrey through Umpiring and Scoring
Welcome from Anthony Blondell, Chairman
Our Association was founded in 1965 and is open to all who are interested in cricket umpiring and scoring of any age and gender and at all levels of the game.
We hold monthly meetings throughout the winter at Guildford Cricket Club for members and friends with topical speakers invited each month and, in recent years, have hosted a number of seminars on the Laws of the game addressed by leading international umpires. Including our considerable student body, we currently have approximately 100 members.
We also run ECB Association of Cricket Officials training courses led by highly-qualified instructors employing up-to-date teaching methods for both umpires and scorers.
Latest West Surrey News
Top scorer met the Association in April
Lesley Morgan rounds off the monthly meetings
Lesley Morgan, a senior scorer with Wiltshire county cricket, Combined Services and Andover CC, joined us at 8pm on Tuesday 10th April. Lesley described her scoring career, from an almost accidental beginning to the highest level, and the significant contributions she has made to training. This topic gave rise to some strong and healthy debate, as we have come to expect at West Surrey.
Veteran England fast bowler visited in March
Chris Old transfixed West Surrey ACU&S
One of the heroes of England's astonishing victory over Australia in 1981, Chris Old visited the Association on 13th March at Guildford CC. Fantastic though that victory was, Chris cited the Centenary Tests of 1977 and 1980 as his most memorable games. And few argued with his contention that bowling at Barry Richards, Garry Sobers, Mike Procter and the like made the 1970 games against the Rest of the World XI Test matches too.
Business concluded
West Surrey AGM in February
On Tuesday February 7th the Association held its Annual General Meeting, completed in record time despite a late start due to gridlock in Guildford! The minutes will be posted on the site as soon as they are produced.
Umpires' class of 2011 extend their skills; newcomers welcomed
Fresh successes for the Training team
Great news! Of the 2011 Level 1 Umpires intake, eight returned to study further at the Level 1A course during the autumn of last year. Of these eight, seven opted to undertake the professional discussion assessment at the end of the course and all seven passed. Trevor and Mike have just started the 2012 Level 1 Umpires' course, with a full class of 18 (pictured: Level 1 Umpires' class 2012). Welcome to the Association, colleagues!
Multi-talented international cricketer kicked off West Surrey's New Year
Test player and Ireland coach Phil Simmons visited in January
Phil Simmons joined us at Guildford Cricket Club on Tuesday January 10th. Phil recounted stories of his astonishing record as a cricketer, appearing in 26 Tests and 143 ODIs for the West Indies. He remembered his time with Leicestershire during two County Championship winning efforts, and of course, gave us an insight into the life of an international coach gained through his work with Ireland. Having beaten England at the World Cup in March last year, the Irish now have Australia in their sights! (photo 1 | photo 2)
Put your skills to the test
West Surrey ACU&S to visit Hawkeye
The Association is promoting a subsidised training session, at Lord's, with Hawkeye. Whilst primarily aimed at our Level 1 and Level 1A students, participation is potentially available to all our members, providing we can acquire sufficient access to the facilities at Lord's. Each session can accommodate ten people. If you are interested, please let the Secretary know ... but unfortunately we cannot offer this opportunity to anyone who is not a fully paid-up member of West Surrey ACU&S.
Competition time
Fancy International Cricket in 2012?
Over the course of our winter meetings in 2011-2012, one free entry to a Draw will be received by each member for every meeting attended. The prizes? Two pairs of tickets, probably one for Lord's and the other for The Oval, depending upon availability when that's announced. So there are seats to be had at all the action as the world's current Number One Team takes on South Africa, Australia and West Indies next season!