Umpire revival a boost to club cricket

Cliff Tootell and Martin Inness umpired their first first-class womens game between Central Districts and Wellington earlier this summer

Cricket Wanganui is enjoying a revival in its umpiring ranks after almost a decade of player rule.

Premier club games were being umpired by players but over the past two years a pool of twelve umpires has been built up and it's having a positive impact on the club cricket.

Much of that is down to Cliff Tootell who joined Cricket Wanganui three years ago as an umpire training officer.

He began contacting those with past experience or with an interest in the game and the region's umpire's association was re-formed providing coaching and support to local umpires.

"The attitude of the premier teams has changed from quite a negative attitude to now more positive," Tootell said.

"And it allows the teams or skippers to be able to focus on the day and they're not having to worry about going outside to umpire."

Cricket Wanganui manager Dilan Raj said it was great for the sport and the players.
"They've got professional umpires, it's neutral, and I think that's also stopped them arguing with each other."

Raj said the resurgence of umpiring was a great achievement in an era where many provinces were struggling to get people to commit and volunteer their time.

"We're pretty chuffed that there's twelve guys that want to be trained and are quite focused on progressing and giving up their time on Saturday."

Umpiring was a great way for former players to stay in the game or for anyone interested in cricket to be involved, Tootell said.

"It's about the enjoyment of the game, not about the money.

"There's always something they can do whether it's scoring, umpiring, assisting. If they've got a keen interest in the sport then I'm more than happy to guide them through or take them in board."

There is also pathway to get qualified to umpire at provincial and first class level and many of the Whanganui umpires are on their way.

Tootell and Martin Inness are working towards a level four qualification which would allow them to umpire first-class level and have already made their debut in first-class women's cricket while Barry Touzel and Oliver working towards level three.