The Georgetown Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association (GCU&SA) training programme on the laws of cricket will get underway June 18.
The programme was last held the programme two years ago.
This is according to President of the GCU&SA, Arleigh Rutherford who stated that the classes will be held at the Demerara Cricket Club from 17.00 hours Tuesdays and Thursdays for a period of two months.
At the conclusion of the sessions, an examination will be held and a certificate will be presented to the successful applicants in August.
Among the panel of umpires that will assist in the training will be Nigel Duguid who has been an international umpire for six years with six One Day and eight T20 matches under his belt as well as nine years of experience at the regional level.
Duguid, in an invited comment to Stabroek Sport, explained that the love of the game is what got him into the profession.
He added that he would encourage any young person to pick up the job if they love cricket, especially the first-class players who can be fast tracked to the higher levels.
“First of all umpiring is not an easy job, you got a lot of stick in it but you got to love cricket if you want to be an umpire,” he said adding… “At the local level it is not really lucrative because you can’t really compensate a man to stand in the sun all day but for me, I was playing cricket then stopped for about five years and an umpire named Compton Vyphuis asked me to come in and umpire because they were short and I did.
“You go to the classes and learn the 42 laws and write three exams in two years before you are eligible for first class level,” he said pointing out that at the first class level one can make a proper livelihood.
Duguid also noted that along with financial compensation, the added benefits of having a firsthand view of the match, meeting players and traveling the world are all in the job.
Rutherford has also come out in support of persons joining the profession, indicating that there is a lot of cricket being played locally and with only 35 umpires in Georgetown, there is a need for more since these umpires also cover East Bank Demerara, East Coast Demerara and West Bank Demerara from time to time.
Registration fees will attract a cost of $1000 and persons can get on board by contacting Rutherford on 622-6969 or Kelvin Morris on 665-5657 or Stephon Josiah on 645-2596.
