Bassetlaw Umpires Association A.G.M.
by Paul Barker, 9th October 2007

The Annual General Meeting of the Bassetlaw and District Umpires Association took place at Worksop Cricket Club, Central Avenue on Saturday. In the absence of Chairman Bernie Jarvis, Brian Rivington opened the meeting and welcomed everyone to it.

He then asked for apologies for absence and this was followed by the acceptance as read of the minutes of the last A.G.M., which was held at the same venue on Saturday 6^th October 2006. There were no matters arising from these minutes.

Mr. Rivington then asked the Secretary/Treasurer Peter McKenzie for his report and he remarked that a staggering 29% of the fixtures were cancelled owing to adverse weather conditions in 2007. However this lead to some extremely tight and exciting climaxes to the season especially over the last two weeks. There had been five disciplinary meetings over the season and whilst this was five too many said Mr. McKenzie it also showed that disciplinary procedures are reasonably well under control.

A joint committee of the League Management Committee and the Umpires Association would be meeting soon to discuss the Umpires proposed expenses for next season and he closed by thanking three retiring members Messrs. Alan Bennett, John Heaman and John Penrose for the service they had put in over the years on the committee.

Mr. Rivington then introduced the Umpires Appointments Secretary, Mr. John Leaning who once again had bad news regarding the numbers of umpires available to him. He thanked the Lincolnshire League secretary who had helped to lessen the burden and then made an impassioned plea for umpires to be more flexible with their travelling with some people not wishing to travel more than 15 minutes from home. The average turnout is getting worse with 70% staffing of matches being about the best, but some weeks the ratio was as low as 60%. It is said Mr. Leaning ‘a nationwide problem’ which looks like getting worse and worse.

Peter McKenzie then announced his treasurer’s report and stated that the finances were in reasonably good health.

This was followed by the presentation by former Test umpire and ex Bassetlaw Umpires Association President, Nigel Plews of the Joe Richardson Memorial Trophy. This year’s choice was to a man who had given so much time and effort to the Association and the honour was a thoroughly deserving one and went to John Heaman.

Two places were now available on the committee and Mr. Rivington asked if the officials could now co-opt two members because there had not been time to arrange a ballot for the places. This was granted unanimously and David Hodgkin and Martin Cannon will now serve on the committee.

John Heaman then talked about the captain’s assessment of umpires and stated this year had allowed the marking to be done electronically via a PC. This had proved to be a good idea but as Mr. Heaman said there will always be some that are excellent at carrying out this task whilst some are rather poor. He thought personally that a points deduction was the best deterrent to make skipper’s put in the report rather than the current fine.

Mr. McKenzie then talked about the ECB Assessment scheme and how it worked to give the chance to Umpires wishing to develop up to a higher standard than they are in at present.

Finally Mr. Nigel Plews gave an interesting talk about some of his experiences in cricket before the meeting was closed.

* It has come to our attention that Matthew Dear of Papplewick and Linby Cricket Club has died following an accident involving a tram. Deepest sympathy go to all friends and family from everyone at the Bassetlaw and District Umpires Association.