PRESIDENT of the West Indies Cricket Umpires Association (WICUA), Vivian Williams feels that the last two years being the first in his presidency, have been filled with lots of ups and downs in relation to the successes and achievements and the resignations of members of the executive.

According to Johnson, “we have made several changes to the way we operate as an executive and have basically revolutionised some of the operations to bring it into the 21st century business operation approach.

The Jamaican-born Johnson made the disclosure during his report at the recently-concluded 31st WICUA Biennial Convention, held at the Cascadia Hotel & Convention Centre in Trinidad & Tobago.

Johnson pointed out that the WICUA has completed a comprehensive negotiation with the Cricket West Indies regarding an increase in fees for the panel umpires, which resulted in increased fees and retainer payments in a four-year agreement. The increased fees have impacted all the levels of the panels – International, Senior, Junior and the female panel, which is now incorporated into the Junior panel.

“We have signed a historic and unprecedented Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cricket West Indies after a lengthy period of negotiation to ensure that the benefits to be derived from this agreement were in our interest.

The MOU has ensured that there will be increased funding for WICUA to stage conventions, to increase our administration expenses, the addition of additional personnel as supervisor for WICUA Examinations and the provision of match tickets to a wide range of umpires to attend international and regional matches.”
Johnson told the audience, which included affiliates from all the regional and North American bodies that “we have totally revamped the WICUA website. A new website is now in effect to make it more appealing and provide more information to the public.

“The new website arrangement with the new provider also provides email addresses for the president, secretary and treasurer. These new email addresses have already been promulgated and are being used as the means of communication in the organisation. This is aimed at keeping in line with modern 21st century organisations.”

The WICUA President boasted that WICUA has relaunched the WICUA exchange programme, which will have far reaching impact on the umpiring fraternity, providing cultural exposure, and umpiring in another country, gaining valuable overseas experience. “The programme started with exchanges between the USA and Jamaica, and we are hoping this will be the start of something more expanded. We want to thank the USA and Jamaica for making this happen.”

Johnson also alluded to the fact that the WICUA has had extensive Trained the Trainer Programme to have more qualified and Trained umpires to deliver training to recruits, young and seasoned umpires.

“These training sessions were attended by a large cohort of umpires throughout the entire region including a former international umpire from India. I had the pleasure of giving opening and welcome remarks at the opening of the first iteration of these sessions in the first year.

“Colleagues, this is very important. We have held three historic and unprecedented meetings with the panel umpires during this period under review. One meeting was held with the senior panel, one with the Junior and women’s panel and the final one with the combined panels. The umpires were happy with this level of interface as they have never had the opportunity to meet with the WICUA before and appreciated the opportunity which led to a high level of discussion on matters of concern which both parties agreed as the way to dialogue in the future to arrive at building consensus.

“Arising from these meetings, the Umpires have agreed to pay their contributions (cess) and have offered their co-operation in this manner. The WICUA has decided to waive the outstanding cess payments from 2017 to October1, 2023, when the new contract period began. In the next term, we intend to continue this approach.” (Frederick Halley)