Umpire retention and recruitment have often been the focus of many associations’ annual general meetings. This year will be no different, especially in Canterbury where retention will receive an even higher priority.
lt is conceded that attracting umpires and referees to most sports is not an easy task, simply because of the time factor, the fear of making errors and the thought of decisions being questioned .
The challenge of umpiring cricket has been sufficient to bring reasonable numbers in the Canterbury region. This, however, may no longer be the case with many of our associations suffering a marked decline in numbers.
The reasons for umpires calling it a day are many and varied, and retention is a big challenge for administrators. A good start would be a better attitude by many of the high profiled media personalities. The season just completed has seen umpires regularly dipped in an acid bath by those who should know better.
Players make mistakes and so do commentators but it seems umpires are not allowed such a luxury. Like players and commentators, umpires also try to do their best and those who make fewer mistakes become our elite.
Umpires are not asking for special treatment, just a proper understanding of what they are doing coupled with more balanced and less prolonged criticism.
The human factor has always been an accepted part of the game, none more so than in Australia. Not so New Zealand where a new brand of umpire called a “robot” seems to be the call for the future.