By Frederick Halley
PRESIDENT of the West Indies Cricket Umpires Association (WICUA), Vivian Johnson has assured fully qualified members of the Canada Cricket Umpires Association (CCUA) that in the not-too-distant future they will be part of the Junior Panel of Cricket West Indies (CWI).
Speaking at last Sunday’s Appreciation Luncheon, held at Starlite Restaurant & Bar, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, Johnson said the WICUA is in ongoing discussion with CWI to reintroduce the programme which ran for six years between 2013-2019 but was discontinued because of financial constraints.
During that six-year period, umpires from the USA, who are also affiliated to the WICUA, formed part of the Junior Panel which caters mainly for junior and women’s cricket.
Johnson however pointed out that WICUA and CWI have already convened two meetings on the issue and feedback is expected by next month. WICUA, he said, will ensure that umpires from Canada, Bermuda and Cayman Islands are included in the Junior Panel.
Johnson also reiterated that foremost among the major plans of the regional body is to increase training opportunities in the territories by planning and delivering training seminars, utilising the association’s chairman Peter Nero along with senior umpires, other certified trainers, plus the utilisation of former ICC Elite Umpire Joel Wilson and Gregory Braithwaite to be a part of this venture.
“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 utilise the services of Messrs. Wilson, Nero, Braithwaite 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 also planning to reorganise the practical and oral examinations for Level 3 umpires to make it more amenable to reducing the quality of matches for the WICUA Certificate. He said the information will be forwarded shortly to the respective affiliated bodies.
In brief remarks, Shiv Persaud, who heads both the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) and Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL), applauded the members of the CCUA for doing a great job during the 2025 SCA season and also at the provisional level. He also encouraged umpires to continue their upward mobility.
Persaud, who was accompanied by PRO Moshin Patel and Treasurer Matthew Francis, also participated in the distribution of medals which were awarded to umpires who officiated in the 2025 season.
Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) President Azeem Khan pointed out that he has much respect for members of the CCUA who have been performing extremely well to keep the game of cricket alive.
Other executive members present were Vice-president Hardatt Ramcharran, Secretary Amit Bacchus and Player/Management/Statistician Terry Mathura, who is also the Treasurer of the CCUA and was Sunday’s Master of Ceremonies.
Speaking on behalf of the business community, Kim Sue of Norman Sue Bakery also showered praises on the umpires while emphasising the role the leagues play in upholding the cricket culture.
