GUYANA’S Niebert Blair emerged as the top candidate among the 53 who wrote the West Indies Cricket Umpires Association (WICUA) final written Level 2 Examination in which 30 were successful.
Chandraban Rajnarine (3rd overall), Fazal Goberdhan, Heathcliff Peters, Asif Ishmael, Ronaldo Mc Garrell and Daniel Narsaiah were the other successful Guyanese among the candidates from 10 countries, including Canada and the USA.

The garrulous 40-year-old is an engineer by profession and disclosed that she started umpiring because she wanted to keep active and decided to play cricket. She encouraged more females to become Umpires.
“So, I then attended practice sessions with the female team at the Transport Sports Club. Coach Messiah and Coach Ross encouraged me to attend the umpiring training during one of the sessions.

I took the opportunity to learn more about cricket and the Laws of Cricket” explained Blair.
So far the umpiring journey has been fun and she has been learning a lot from the fully qualified umpires and her colleagues.
“The exposure to umpiring has helped me to better understand the Laws of Cricket. In the beginning, I wanted to become a match referee.

Umpiring allows me to experience cricket from the best vantage point while at the same time appreciating the dexterity of various cricketers.
I believe that players, despite it being the captain’s responsibility to ensure fair play, should always be respectful of their teammates, umpires, other match officials and spectators.

I dislike incidents where the game is not played within the Spirit of Cricket. I am in no way hesitant to apply the Laws of Cricket should/when these moments occur” Blair continued.
Blair feels to develop further she has two other assessments to complete and with the support of the qualified umpires and other trainee umpires she intends to continue learning from practice, conversations, watching games, reading the Laws of Cricket, and analysing different scenarios to become comfortable and confident with umpiring.

“My goal is to be a fully qualified umpire – but I guess that is more short-term than long-term. So, I think after achieving my short-term goal I will be better able to articulate my long- term goal, vision, and mission for myself as an umpire.
If you are allowed to learn the Laws of Cricket, then take that opportunity”. Blair revealed that she always had a passion for cricket and Umpiring allows her to stay close to the action, contribute to the integrity of the game, and be a part of something bigger
than herself.

“There is a sense of satisfaction in ensuring fair play and upholding the rules, and it is rewarding to see players give their best while knowing I played a role in facilitating that.
My journey in umpiring has been incredibly fulfilling. It has been a constant learning experience, from learning the 42 Laws in cricket to honing my decision-making skills in the heat of the moment. Every game presents new challenges and opportunities for growth.

I have had the chance to officiate in matches at the local club level, which has exposed me to different styles of play and helped me develop and refine my craft”, Blair noted.
“Overall, while there have been ups and downs, the journey has been immensely rewarding, and I look forward to continuing to grow and contribute to the sport of cricket through umpiring” added Blair.

“One of the things I cherish most about cricket umpiring is being on the cricket field, amidst the tension and drama, and having a direct impact on the game’s outcome is an experience like no other.
Moreover, cricket umpiring allows me to immerse myself in the nuances of the sport, from deciphering the intricacies of LBW decisions to gauging the subtle variations of spin bowling.

It is a continuous learning journey that keeps me engaged and fascinated.
Building relationships with players, coaches, and fellow umpires has also been a highlight, as the camaraderie and mutual respect within the umpiring community are truly special” Blair posited
“The aspect of cricket umpiring that I least prefer is dealing with contentious or confrontational situations on the field.
These situations require not only a thorough understanding of the rules but also strong communication skills and the ability to remain calm under pressure.

Diffusing tensions while ensuring fairness and maintaining control of the match can be mentally and emotionally taxing.
Additionally, the scrutiny and criticism that umpires sometimes face can be tough to handle. Every decision is subject to intense scrutiny because [there is] always the potential for human error” Blair explained.

“I aim to continue officiating matches at various levels, exposing myself to different game scenarios and challenges, because every match offers valuable learning opportunities.
Blair intends to seek feedback from experienced umpires and mentors, both during and after matches in order to identify areas of improvement and refine her decision-making processes.

“Additionally, I plan to participate in any umpire training programmes and workshops. These programmess cover a wide range of topics from seasoned professionals.
Lastly, I aim to stay physically and mentally fit to meet the demands of umpiring” Blair stated.

“By combining practical experience, continuous learning, feedback, and personal development, I believe I can elevate my umpiring skills to the next level and contribute positively to the sport of cricket.
My long-term goal as a cricket umpire is to officiate at increasingly higher levels of competition, ultimately aiming to officiate in regional and international matches.

Additionally, I aspire to become a respected figure within the umpiring community, known for my professionalism, integrity, and fair decision-making. I also aim to contribute to the development of cricket umpiring by sharing my knowledge and experiences with aspiring umpires, hence, leaving a positive legacy in the world of cricket umpiring” continued Blair who was among a handful of female candidates.

Her advice to those contemplating umpiring or not having yet considered it, is to come on board.
“Embrace the opportunity to learn something new and grow.