Course Details

Working towards 'C' Award

First Steps

You will need to have a completed a Basic Umpiring Certificate Course. It is recommended that you then get as much umpiring experience as possible using local leagues. Speak to Gill about this. The more you practice, the more confidence and ability you will develop.

Having taken your Basic Umpiring Certificate you ideally will have at least one season's solid umpiring experience before looking to progress.

There are a number of umpires in the club who would be happy to talk to you about progressing, and to answer questions you may have. If you don’t know who to ask, ask Gill or Jo about who might be available.

Working towards 'C' Award Course

Once you have some solid umpiring experience then to progress further you will be required to attend a "Progressing to C Award" Course. There is normally one run each season in Hertfordshire – the next is 8th March at Longdean School, Hemel. Here you will gain lots of useful advice from Tutors and other umpires, some of whom will be using the course as a refresher course.

Assessment

Having umpired lots of games and attended the Working towards 'C' Award Course, the next stage is to ask your local Umpiring Representative, Chris Beasley, to organise an Assessment. You will need to provide your name, address, telephone number, email address and AENA Affiliation number. Also provide as many dates as possible of games that you are umpiring to the Rep. One of these games will then be chosen by the Assessors for the Assessment.

It is easier to get Assessed during the first half of the season, so look to get your dates submitted as early in the season as possible. If your Assessment is successful, then you stand a good chance of being put forward for a test in the same season.

Unsuccessful Assessments

If you do not get recommended for a test, then often you will be given the option of being Mentored for your umpiring. This is likely to occur in the Watford League on a Sunday where more tutors are readily available. This will help you with the areas in which you experienced difficulties. You may be required to do a further assessment, but sometimes will be submitted for a test, once the Mentor is satisfied with your progress.

Successful Assessments

If you are recommended for a test, the Assessor will contact the Umpiring Rep. to say that you were successful, and the Assessor will look for a suitable date in which to test you. Note: no tests are undertaken on the Summer League, though you can carry on practising at the Summer League if you wish.