GACUS speed up exam process

GACUS will be using up-to-date computer technology to help train their umpires from next year. John Mountford, the local training officer, received a laptop and data projector from the Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers at a seminar in Reading and the aim is to produce umpires who not only have a knowledge of the laws, but also an understanding of them.

Add those vital management and field-craft techniques and the product is an education syllabus that relates to the job umpires actually do.

The latest computer-based PowerPoint system makes learning resemble as closely as possible how things appear on the field of play.

There are exams at the end of the course if umpires wish to take them but gone are the days of writing long answers. The first exam comprises of 30 questions, 20 of which are multiple-choice, while the second is of 40 questions with 25 multiple-choice. The remaining questions require very short written answers.

The exams now only relate to the one-day game since most umpires never officiate anything else.

The style of the exam is of a projected picture and question with voice-over and candidates circle their answers.

It means that instead of waiting months for the result, an umpire will know the same evening whether they have been successful.

GACUS will be running a course starting in January held on Tuesday at 7pm at the Grammar School. The exams will conclude the course at the end of March. Prospective umpires are welcome to attend and should contact Ralph Anthony on 255951.