The 2024-25 Castlemaine District cricket season is about to kick off and there is a critical shortage of umpires.
For the first time in many years, the premier level cricket in this competition, the A Grade Senior Men’s cricket, will be mostly self-umpired for a lack of independent umpires.
The Castlemaine District Cricket Association needs more ‘men in black’ so that everyone can enjoy the game, including the umpires.
It’s said they have the best seat in the house and it’s true. It’s the best position to officiate. The best position to enjoy the skills of the players on display. The best position to enjoy some banter with those very same players. And you get paid for it!
Secretary of the Umpires Panel, Brendan Dunn, told the Express that the shortage was widespread across the state and that a lot of sports were having the same difficulties.
“It’s a busy job, but you can switch off for a second or two between deliveries. I enjoy testing myself that I’m applying the rules properly, that I’m alert. There’s a beer at the end of the day is always good too!” Dunn said.
The association has been organising local cricket since 1892. In the early 2000s the umpires formed a semi-independent group (The Castlemaine District Umpires Association) and a focal point for the umpiring fraternity since then has been to holding an executive role on the CDCA to promote the work of the umpires.
They offer ongoing training and support to the umps and are able to assist in formal national accreditation credentials, these aren’t compulsory, but they provide a solid basis for future development. They are also closely involved with Cricket Victoria at the state level.
Anyone interested in signing up is asked to contact Brendan Dunn on 0409 970 911 or email him on bdunn@gcom.net.au for a chat about being an umpire.
