(ICC) Ever wonder what it takes to be a top cricket umpire?
The ICC has taken a lead role in the development of a competency-based benchmarking programme for best-practice umpiring called the ICC International Umpire Accreditation Programme.
The remarkable resource sets the standard that needs to be attained for any aspiring international umpire and can be used by umpire trainers at all levels of the game.
It is a world class resource available to all ICC member countries and can be customised to benefit first class match officiating as well as International officiating. It is designed to raise the overall standards of umpiring across the globe and support the growing network of umpire coaches in the ICC member countries as they work with their umpires.
This online resource was developed principally by ICC Umpire Performance and Training Manager Simon Taufel, ICC Umpire Coach Denis Burns with the other ICC Umpire Coaches and MMR Creative Studios and launched at the Full Member Board Umpires managers meeting in July 2014.
It is a programme that supports umpires who are competent in, or who are working towards a competence in, the knowledge, understanding, skills, and attributes identified by the ICC as essential for International Umpiring.
It is thoroughly resourced with a database of audio-visual and textual material to support best practice for umpires and umpire coaches. The programme covers all the required competencies and while the ICC umpire coach body will initially accredit the competencies of the individual umpires and is available for online individual training and self-development.
The functionality of the programme allows umpires and coaches to systematically track progress on their assessed competencies against clearly defined criteria which covers six foundation pillars – Technique, Preparation, Attitude and Teamwork, Decision making, Match management and Self-Management / Personal Development.
Within each of these six pillars, there is an Umpire Page and an Assessor page that provides clear guidelines and resources for each umpire and assessor to draw from.
The programme assists in match officials’ continual improvement and development and has been welcomed enthusiastically around the world by both umpires and coaches.
Each Full Member has been encouraged to customise the programme to suit the development needs of their domestic cricket.
The ICC International Umpire Accreditation Programme is now live on the web.
It is a resource with a database of audio-visual and textual material.
· The programme also allows the umpire to be tracked via feedback functions which inform him/her of progress against defined competencies.
The functionality of the programme allows umpires and coaches to systematically track competencies and progress against clearly defined criteria.
Umpires to take responsibility for their own professional development by informing their coach that they wish to be considered for ICC Accreditation.
