Umpires

Another year impacted by COVID but this is expected to be the last. The impact of COVID being that we were unable to host an ITO Assessor course plus we had both this year’s and last year’s expiring Officials seeking reaccreditation.

Peter Barnett

We were able to fulfil the responsibilities in the Umpires Committee charter, namely: • Co-ordination and delivery of Umpire accreditation courses. [full numbers below] • Allocating Umpires for all required Bowls

WA events despite the challenges of Covid which caused changes to dates • Maintaining accurate and up to date records • Developing a pathway for Umpires to progress their skills • Responding to all communications • Developing and renewing policies related to umpiring issues. Over 230 bowlers attended officiating courses resulting in 216 new or renewed accreditations this year. New Umpires: 36 Metro & 51 Country New Measurers: 12 Metro & 20 Country Reaccredited Umpires: 51 Metro & 35 Country Reaccredited Measurers: 3 Metro & 5 Country New Presenters & Assessors: 1 Metro & 2 Country While these numbers are sufficient to maintain enough competent officials, they are a drop on the previous year, in particular new metro umpires. Overall, accredited officials make up 8% of the registered bowlers in WA. The drop out plus Not Yet Competent rate remains the same at approximately 5% of course attendees. In addition to Bowls WA events some WA officials gave their time to assist at some Bowls Australia events held in other states and two of our committee have been invited to officiate at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Work continued with encouraging clubs to have and plan to have enough officials to operate effectively. I am pleased to report that currently all clubs have sufficient numbers of officials or plans to obtain them for the events in which the club participates. Similarly, members of the committee have been inspecting metropolitan clubs Umpire’s Kits and assistance has been provided to clubs whose umpire’s kits are inadequate. Work continued with Bowls Australia and Bowls WA on the development of re-accreditation criteria and process for Presenters & Assessors. The proposals from Bowls Australia were reviewed and feedback given on modifications needed to allow for the logistics of reaccrediting our country P&As. At the time of writing this report we are waiting on a response from BA.

Lastly, I wish to thank the Committee members and others who have given up their time to run training courses, officiate at state events, hold briefing sessions and attend meetings. Also, thanks to the clubs who have provided venues for these activities and the ever-helpful Bowls WA staff.

PETER BARNETT

UMPIRES