WARRNAMBOOL Cricket Umpires Association president Bill Masterson is calling for new and old members to join their ranks for the 2020-21 season.
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Masterson said the WCUA and the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association are confident a season will go ahead this summer as the state recovers from the coronavirus pandemic.
Outdoor sport in regional areas can resume when step three of the state government's roadmap to re-opening is introduced. It is expected to be implemented shortly.
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Masterson said the WCUA was getting on the front foot with recruiting in the hope of being more than ready for when the WDCA season does begin.
"As an association we are happy with the amount of members we have and we are in good state," he said.
"We feel that a few of the Grassmere (Cricket Association) umpires will come over to us and the football fraternity who missed out umpiring this year if we can get a few of them it will all be good.
"We are also looking for new umpires that we can train. We really need a good month of training prior to a new season for the umpires so we're prepared."
Masterson, who is excited to see what the 2020-21 season brings with a host of new players and teams, said umpiring was a great way to get out and about in a recreational way following months of restrictions.
"It's partly a social environment and it's on a Saturday afternoon where you come along, umpire and get to enjoy your time in a sporting environment," he said.
"It's a good afternoon of social interaction too."
WCUA umpires are paid between $110-$150 a game and new members receive all uniform, including match shirt, wind jacket and hat, and training material such as rule books and guides free.
Masterson said all new umpires would be trained to a level two standard, which allows them to umpire division one and two matches.
The third-year president added new members would not have to officiate matches every single week.
"We found in past that some people are not prepared for it to be a weekly thing but are obliged to put themselves in for an independent panel to select them," he said.
"We can offer a week on, week off kind of situation and that seems to appeal a lot more to be prospective umpires."
The WDCA will have its AGM on Monday night with the WCUA expected to start training new and existing members seven days after the meeting.
Interested people are encouraged to contact Bill Masterson or WCUA's secretary Ashley Jennings.
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