…Intends to broaden reach to train umpires in Central and South America

PRESIDENT of the West Indies Cricket Umpires Association, Vivian Johnson has said that the foremost major plan of the regional body is to increase training opportunities in the territories by planning and delivering training seminars, utilising the association’s chairman along with senior umpires, other certified trainers, plus the utilization of former ICC Elite Umpire Joel Wilson to be a part of this venture.
Johnson made the disclosure during his report at the recently-concluded 31st Biennial Convention of the WICUA, held at the Cascadia Hotel & Convention Centre in Trinidad & Tobago.
According to Johnson, “in speaking with persons in some of our territories, the need is great. We are going to prioritize them at the start of the programme, but we intend to reach all the territories.
“In addition, WICUA is the full member responsible for cricket umpiring in this hemisphere: We intend to significantly broaden our reach to train umpires in Central and South America and to invite some of these countries to become members of WICUA.
“We would like to utilize the services of Messrs. Wilson, Nero, and other senior umpires to be our ambassadors to reach into these areas to expand umpiring opportunities in this hemisphere. A part of the plan is to have the trainers officiating in matches with these umpires as part of the training exercise to bolster their confidence.”
Johnson pointed out that the WICUA is planning to work in tandem with the territories to procure much needed training equipment necessary to augment the training programnes. “These include computers, overhead projectors, screens, software and other necessary training equipment to ensure the programmes meet the technological requirements to successfully carry out the training programme.’
Acknowledging that the Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) and the umpire’s contract will end in 2027, Johnson said the WICUA will be planning its preparation documents for 2026 to submit a comprehensive and detailed proposal to Cricket West Indies in January 2027 for the new contract period, and the renewal of the MOU, the aim is to get increased benefits from the package. The WICUA, Johnson said, is looking at increasing the funding for the Exchange Programme, as well as expanding the programme to include more umpires and will be working with the territories to make this happen.
The WICUA also intends to ensure that the WICUA website is accessible to all umpires and an outreach programme will be developed to promote and publicize the website to make it more informative, inciteful and provide educational information.
According to Johnson, the WICUA is aiming to forge and establish a mutually beneficial relationship with ICC Americas to include Training, Exchange Programmes to widen the reach, influence and experience. Funding will be sought from ICC Americas to augment this programme.
“Our aims and objectives based on our Vision and Mission Statements are to make this association the envy of world umpiring organisations and to make our members and umpires fulfill their dreams and aspirations to become world class cricket umpires within this region, this hemisphere and the entire world, wherever they officiate.
We intend for them to showcase their mastery and their exceptionally well trained and developed experience to show to the world that the WICUA umpires are a force to be reckoned with,” Johnson boasted. (Frederick Halley)