Greetings all

Welcome to the launch of the 2009/10 cricket season.

You may notice that the colour theme on the website has changed from last season's green to maroon. This is in line with on our Association's Annual report having a different colour designated to its front cover each season.

The anticipated start date for the season is 26 September which isn't that far away. All members should now start looking to dust off the kit bag in preparation for an exciting season ahead. All new members should ensure you are ready go and that includes purchasing your white on field shirt from the merchandise officer of NSWCU&SA. Organising the purchase of an appropriate umpires hat sooner rather than later would also be advisable as lawn bowls shops who specialise in umpire hats often run short on supply in September. Contact me if you need any assistance re either of these issues.

Season 2009/10 will be our ninth since our inception in 2001/02. I am hoping it will be an exciting summer of cricket as we march towards our 10th anniversary season the following summer.

The upcoming season sees the introduction of a blue in colour on field shirt for all members to wear during all limited over fixtures played on Saturdays as well as all Frank Gray Shield matches played on Sundays. The Association bank account is generously making a 50% contribution towards the purchase of these shirts with each member making a $15 co-payment within their 2009/10 membership renewal to fund this initiative. We hope you all enjoy the experience in doing something new in regards to the uniform.

As well the blue shirts we will shortly be able to provide at a discounted rate over cards for all members so you can keep track of the number of overs bowled by each player in limited over games. These cards similar to the ones you have previously been able to purchase from NSWCU&SA now come double sided for twice the usage. Cost and availability will be communicated to all members as the season draws closer.

As at today's date about 25% of members have not yet paid their renewal for the upcoming season. All members need to renew by 31 August or your renewal fee doubles during September. Don't throw away money by allowing your renewal to double and ensure you finalise your payment as soon as possible.

Members are reminded of the importance of attending the two main meetings that will occur in September. The SCA rules night on September 16 is considered a must for all umpires in Grade and Shires Cricket taking an on field role in 2009/10. Details of this night will be communicated to all in the coming weeks so please make a point of writing this date in your diary now.

The second big meeting occurs one week later on September 23 which is anticipated to be the week leading into the first game of the season. This is a meeting only for Shires members. We anticipate that the blue shirts will be ready for distribution on this night as well as the new over cards spoken about earlier. More details of this night will be communicated shortly. Once again, please cross this evening off your diary and make sure you can attend to meet our new members and to re-unite with those from last season.

I am filled with enthusiasm about the upcoming season and trust that everyone will enjoy another outstanding season of cricket in the Sydney Shires competition. Keep coming back to this website for more updates as they occur.

Stephen Blomfield
Honorary Secretary

Monday 1 June 2009

The 8th Annual Report for the 2008/09 season is now available on this website.

All members who requested a hard copy will receive this in the mail in the next few days

Happy Reading.

Stephen Blomfield
Honorary Secretary

Dear Members,

Well as you all can clearly see from the subject the cricket season is now officially over. Congratulations must be extended to the four Premiership sides -

1st Grade – South Sydney 210 defeated Pennant Hills 37

2nd Grade - Burwood 171 drew Auburn 8-83 (Burwood win being higher placed side)

3rd Grade - Georges River 3-89 defeated Lane Cove 87

4th Grade - Burwood 329 drew Lindfield 5-86 (Burwood win being higher placed side)

It was disappointing to see weather play a big role in the final weekend of the season, but that’s the luck of the draw

I want to take this opportunity to fill you in on what happens for us in the next six months.

In May I will be meeting with the Shires Sub Committee to review the season just gone and one of the main items on the agenda will be suggested rule changes for the next season. If there is ANYTHING you feel didn’t work in the local playing conditions during the season please email me and it will be tabled for consideration.

Your committee also meets in May to finalise the season just completed and to look at any issues for the forthcoming season that need to be planned. If you have any feedback you wish the committee to consider please send this through before the end of April

The next important event for us is the Sydney Shires end of season presentation dinner on Friday May 15

Those of you who have attended this function in the past will know what a fantastic night it can be. We would like to see as many members and their partners attend again this year. A strong showing of support in numbers at this event shows the Shire Clubs that we are committed to this competition. Details of the night are as follows -

Date - Friday May 15 , 2009

Venue – Waters Edge Restaurant – The Rocks
Start Time - 7pm
Cost – TBC (Approx) $80 per head (3 course meal, entertainment and beer, wine & soft drinks all night)

**** There are two free tickets available. One ticket is to be allocated to two individual members. All members who express an interest in attending will have their name placed in a draw for one of the two free tickets *******

Could you please email me and confirm if you would like to attend. No need to pay at this stage , You will be invoiced after the event if you are not one of the two free ticket recipients. If you can attend please advise if it’s just you, or you and your partner.

In June the Annual Report will be mailed out to members. The Annual General meeting is on Wednesday July 8

An email will be sent in June asking if you wish to stand for any position on the committee. Please seriously consider getting involved on committee level.

Also in July-Aug (dates TBA) the NSWCU&SA will also hold its off season Rules , Training and Examination Course. This is an excellent opportunity to refresh yourself on the laws before the start of the next season. We also ask that you try and recruit members for next season. Encourage people interested in cricket to do the course and push them towards Shires Cricket. In the previous season we achieved a great result supplying umpires to 100% of all first & second grades and about 50% of third grade – Our most successful season ever. We want to push forward from the great work we did this year so that even more third grade games get coverage in 2009/10

In August members will receive the playing dates for the new season and you will be asked to commit to whether you wish to umpire. When you receive these forms please return them promptly. Members who hang onto these forms up to mid September cause problems and delays in the new seasons appointments being completed.

In September we kick off again for the new season. The likely start date is Saturday September 26 , 2009

I'd now like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your contribution during the season. I must admit the season flowed pretty smoothly and you all can take a lot of credit for the fact that you all made significant contributions towards the seasons success.

I'm very hopeful that the next season will be just as successful and I'm hoping that you ALL will want to be an active Shires competition umpire in the 2009-2010 cricket season.

See you all at the AGM on July 8

Regards

Stephen Blomfield

Honorary Secretary / Appointments Officer

Sydney Shires Cricket Umpires Association

Thursday 1 January 2009

Welcome to 2009 to all our members and visitors to this site.

Can anybody believe the season is already half over ?

Here are a few news pieces for the information of all members

Umpires Appointments January - Mid February 2009

Appointments for Shires Rounds 8, 9 and 10 (Jan 10 thru to Feb 7) will be mailed out on January 2. The appointments for the first Saturday Round of cricket in January (Round 8) and Sunday Frank Gray Round of cricket (Round 5) are now posted on this website. If you don't receive the January - Mid February appointments in the mail by January 8 please let me know ASAP

Some Dates For Your Diary

The next members meeting of this Association will be held on Wednesday 18 March 2009 at Redfern RSL's Meeting Room. This meeting is held on the Wednesday leading into the First weekend of the end of season finals series. It is considered MANDATORY to attend this meeting if you are to receive an appointment to a finals series match. Please ensure you lock this date away in your diary now as you have been given plenty of notice to re-arrange any potential clashes

On Friday 15 May 2009 the end of season Shires premiers dinner will be held at the waters edge restaurant at the Rocks. As per the last few seasons, this Association has one or two tables at this event. For our new members, this is an event where the premiership teams receive their trophies and where various award winners that we have a part in choosing are announced (eg player of the year, captain of the year, spirit of cricket award, etc). The umpire of the year trophy is also awarded at this function. I encourage all members to consider participating in this event. Please consider coming along. Expressions of interest to book a seat at our table will be called for in February or early March.

Stephen Blomfield
Honorary Secretary

Monday 8 December 2008

Can you all believe that we are nearly half way through the season with Christmas just around the corner.

Here is some of the latest news from around the Association -

1. Welcome Aboard

We welcome to this Association new member Cameron Smith from Croydon Park who joined as a new member on 5 December. Cameron will stand in his first match next Saturday. Make him feel welcome when you meet him.

2. Player Behaviour & Spirit of Cricket Marks

I've received a number of pieces of feedback this season from officiating umpires as well as comments in captains reports that suggest some matches have been played in a confrontational manner. Some members have been quite happy to raise with me concerns and/or problems they have had about issues of player behaviour. Whilst I appreciate this type of feedback I have regularly found that the umpires in question while on the one hand have said there were "issues" in their game have on the other hand failed to reflect those problems when supplying the teams their respective spirit of cricket mark. As a guide, If you feel there were some unacceptable issues in your match you really need to be looking at applying a mark of zero or one for this award. You should consider a mark of two to be acceptable with some minor issues and a mark of three to be a match were no issues at all occurred in the match. Please let us not reward teams with inflated spirit of cricket marks when they are not deserved, and lets all try to adopt a consistent approach to this issue.

3. Calling In of Results - Weekend of December 20 / 21

For members who normally telephone match results and statistics to me after the completion of a game I wish to advise that on the weekend of December 20 & 21 that I will only be available for phone calls up to 9pm on the Saturday night, after that time you will need to email or fax me. On Sunday December 21 following the completion of Frank Gray Round 4 all persons advising results and statistics will need to email or fax me. As I will be travelling out of town that day and evening I will not be available to take calls on my mobile.

4. Milestone Matches - Congratulations

Congratulations are extended to the following members who have, or will shortly pass individual milestones for matches completed –

Jim Shellens will umpire his 150th Shires match on Saturday 13/12/08

Peter Mooney will umpire his 50th Shires match on Saturday 13/12/08

Bruce Whitehouse will umpire his 50th Shires match on Saturday 13/12/08

All three members will be presented with their respective polo shirts (Jim – navy blue, Peter & Bruce sky blue) at the next meeting of this Association on Wednesday night 10 December

5. Match Payments

Match payments were recently made at $105 per day for Rounds 3,4 and 5 as well as Frank Gray Round 1. Thanks are extended to those members who responded to an email to get round 5 in quickly so that this could be paid in the December run. Unfortunately a number of members let everyone else down and failed to get in their Frank Gray Round 2 forms in by the Friday after that round. As a consequence payments for this round have been held over to January. I ask all members to please give special attention to ensuring that you post your result sheets in the 48 hours after the completion of your match. This will ensure that match payments are not held up for everyone in the future

6. Umpires Needed – 4 to 9 January 2008

I have received a request for umpires to participate in a 6 day cricket carnival to be conducted from Sunday 4 January to Friday 9 January 2008. The Australian Lawyers Cricket Council are conducting this tournament amoung the respective Law Societies and Bar Associations of the various states and territories as a selection trial for a team to represent Australia at the 2nd Lawyers Cricket World Cup to be held in England in July 2009

At this stage the venues for this carnival will be the three grounds at Sydney University. Members will receive $100 for each day umpired. You will be required to umpire one 35 over a side match per day. Lunch is also provided. More details will be provided as they come to hand. If you wish to express an interest in umpiring on any of the 6 days in question please REPLY to this email advising which days you would like to participate. Please note - Members who have already received an appointment to AW Green Shield matches on any of the dates this carnival is being held will be expected to honour that appointment

7. Umpire Name Tags

It appears that a significant number of first and even second year members have not purchased the NSWCU&SA name tag/ tie bar. SSCUA considers this a required item that forms part of your on field uniform. If you do not have one of these items could you please REPLY to this email. I would like to organise a bulk order for those of you that don’t have a name tag ASAP.

8. Meeting – This Wednesday Night

The next members meeting of this Association will be held this Wednesday 10 December at Redfern RSL's Meeting Room. Executive Committee members should arrive for a 5.45pm committee meeting. For all other members the general meeting starts at 7pm. I hope you can all make it along to our pre Christmas meeting to discuss the first half of your season and have a few drinks at the end of the meeting

Stephen Blomfield
Hon Secretary , SSCUA

Sunday 26 October 2008

Dear Members,

Three rounds down and ten to go, the season is certainly flying along. I hope you are all enjoying your cricket. Here is the latest news for all members.

For the first time ever our Association has the services this season of two match observers in Michael Roberts and George Richards. Both members are highly experienced umpires who have chosen to assist this season in an observing role. They will be going around the grounds watching you on the field and will be reporting back to the Executive Committee regarding your progress. Initially the observers will be spending more time with our new umpires however that does not exclude more experienced members who will also be monitored during the season. If Michael or George are at your game and you get the chance to speak make them feel welcome and openly encourage them to provide you any feedback that they may have for you. One small piece of advice taken on board could dramatically improve your game

Those supplied a raffle book to sell in the last 6 weeks are reminded that these needs to be finalised 21 November. Some members in previous seasons have sent ticket stubs and cheques to the SCA. Please do not do this as recovery of raffle mail from the SCA office in recent seasons has proven to be difficult. ALL raffle payments and sold stubs need to be sent to this Associations mailing address (i.e. PO Box 3333, Redfern, 2016). You can also transmit your raffle proceeds to our bank account electronically as per the instruction letter supplied to you when you received your book. If you need these details again please send me an email.

The next members meeting of this Association will be held on Wednesday 10 December at Redfern RSL's Meeting Room. Executive Committee members should arrive for a 5.45pm committee meeting. For all other members the general meeting starts at 7pm. I hope you can all make it along to our pre Christmas meeting to discuss the first half of your season and have a few drinks at the end of the meeting.

Stephen Blomfield
Honorary Secretary

To – ALL SYDNEY SHIRE UMPIRES

RE – IMPORTANT MEETINGS IN SEPTEMBER

All members should be aware of the two very important meetings that will be held during the month of September.

All members who intend on officiating in Shires matches during the season should make every effort to attend both of these meetings as the content of both meetings impacts on the way the forthcoming season is to be conducted.

Details are as follows –

LOCAL RULES NIGHT – Wednesday September 17, 2008 - Sydney Cricket Association Office Auditorium , Driver Avenue , Moore Park – 7.00pm Start

This meeting will be conducted by the training committee of the NSWCU&SA and will review all local playing conditions in Grade and Shires matches for the 2008/09 season. Match appointments and the playing conditions book for the season will also be available at this meeting as well as a number of important handouts. New umpires will also receive their on field umpires shirts for the season. Your attendance at this meeting should be considered compulsory.

SHIRE UMPIRES PRE SEASON MEETING – Wednesday September 24 , 2008 – Meeting Room , Redfern RSL , 157 Redfern Street , Redfern – 7.00pm Start

This is an important meeting to attend as all members will get to meet their peers (including new members for the season). Important discussion will also take place in regards to rule changes etc. The committee will meet with all first year umpires at the conclusion of the meeting to discuss any questions you may have

I look forward to your attendance at both of these meetings.

Stephen Blomfield
Honorary Secretary

4 August 2008

The 2008/09 cricket seasoning is fast approaching with play in the Sydney Shires Competition to kick off on Saturday September 27.

All members should have by now completed their availability forms and returned them to Secretary Stephen Blomfield as well as completing similar paperwork for NSWCU&SA. Any member who has not yet done so is urged to complete this task ASAP.

Members who have not yet paid their annual subscription fees to this Association as well as NSWCU&SA need to complete this task by the end of August. After this date your membership subs will DOUBLE !

A very successful off season recruitment campaign for new umpires has been conducted by your management committee during the winter.

It is anticipated that we will have a large number of new umpires in our competition this coming summer which augers well for the Shires Competition. All experienced members will be called upon at various times of the season to partner, coach and mentor our new members and help them through their debut season.

The first full members meeting for the upcoming season will be on the Wednesday night before the season starts. That meeting will be on Wednesday September 24 at Redfern RSL (7pm Start).

An exciting new season is just around the corner !!!!!!!!!

OFFICE BEARERS 2008/09

Following the recent calling for nominations for positions on the Committee of Management, the office bearers for the upcoming season are as follows:

Association President – Peter Friend
Association Vice President – Jim Shellens
Association Honorary Secretary – Stephen Blomfield
Association Honorary Treasurer – Gordon Smith

Management Committee –

George Richards
Trevor Schokman
David Goodman

These positions were ratified at the Annual General Meeting on July 30, 2008.

The 8th season of the Sydney Shires Cricket Umpires Association commenced at a very well attended Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 30 July, 2008

A total of 27 members (from a total membership of 57) attended the meeting along with a number of guests including Laurie Borg (Treasurer NSWCU&SA), Roy Formica (Assistant Secretary, SCA) , and Steven Poole (Liaison Officer, NSWCU&SA)

After a three year reign Chairman George Richards stood down to make way for Peter Friend with Jim Shellens maintaining the Vice President's role. Both Secretary Stephen Blomfield and Treasurer Gordon Smith were both re-elected for the 8th season in row. The management committee positions were filled by George Richards, Trevor Schokman and David Goodman.

Due to a highly successful recruitment campaign the Association took in a record number of new members. In total 20 new members joined our ranks most in a full time or part time active on field role. By seasons end the total membership stood at 69 (an all time high). The impact of all these new members was the successful supply of umpires to Shires Third Grade matches on a regular basis. This was a feat never before achieved in the Shires competition and players in Third Grade who had participated for years without ever seeing umpires for regular competition matches were now reaping the benefit of having neutral match officials in their games.

Statistics from the 2008/09 season read as follows -

* 100% umpire coverage of all days play in First Grade Shires

* 100% umpire coverage of all days play in Frank Gray Shield Matches

* 98% umpire coverage of all days play in Second Grade Shires

* 52% umpire coverage of all days play in Third Grade Shires

* 13% umpire coverage of all days play in Fourth Grade Shires

(All of the above coverage in 4th grade being re-scheduled Sunday cricket + Finals Series)

Other Issues this season included -

* Reported Players - 4 (Down from 9 last season)

* Judiciary Matters - Code of Conduct commissioner given the power to offer an early guilty plea penalty to reported players to avoid Judiciary having to meet as often

* The Association successfully being funded $3000 from the Federal Government for a small equipment grant. The Association purchased 6 test match standard umpire light meters and computer equipment

* Umpire match fees increased from $100 to $105 per day with the SCA making a commitment to increase each year based on CPI

* George Richards & Michael Roberts took on the role of match observers watching & mentoring our new members

* A change in process to allow captains to fill in and hand in umpires assessment forms post match was trailed but deemed not to be a success

* Mark Hughes umpired the Shires XI v Churches XI rep match at Bexley Oval in October 2008

* Peter Mooney umpired the Shires XI v Grade XI rep match at the SCG in December 2008

* Jim Shellens & Gordon Smith umpired their 150th Career Shires Match

* Alan Green & Geoff Taylor umpired their 100th Career Shires Match

* Peter Friend & Chris Taylor were appointed to the 1st Grade Grand Final won by South Sydney CC

* Stephen Blomfield & Chris Taylor were appointed to the Frank Gray (Under 24) Grand Final won by Strathfield CC

* Chris Taylor took out the umpire of the year award and David Goodman won the Most improved Umpire of the Year.