We have passed the shortest day of the year and there is more winter behind us than in front. That can mean only one thing…. Pre-Season training is on our doorstep. SACA has already started running level 1 courses for new umpires and this edition coincides with our pre-season umpiring launch. To come are by-Laws meetings, training weekend, SACUSA AGM, trial games, Level 2 courses, new umpire laws study …. There is an ever growing offering for training opportunities available to everyone. So Welcome to the 2012-13 Season Lynton and Andrew showing off SACUSA Centenary caps
FROM THE PRESIDENT The following are excerpts from an information email sent or about to be sent from our President Annual General Meeting The SACUSA AGM will be held on August 8th at Glandore Oval, you will receive official notification from our Secretary of this shortly however there are a few important things on the agenda. Constitution Revision – After working with the current constitution there are a few things that the Executive feel need modification, particularly in the membership eligibility area, so we are proposing to make some small but important changes at the AGM. Election of office Bearers – It is possible that 5 of our 8 committee positions will be up for election at the AGM. This being 2 of the 4 committee, President and Vice President (these are 1 year terms) and it is possible that a mid-term committee person will be elected to the Vice President’s position as this is the end of my 2 year term (limit). Supper – Always a popular part of the evening, have a light bite and drink with fellow members.
New Sticky Wicket Format With the start of a new season, your Executive Committee has decided to work with SACA Umpiring Manager, Neil Poulton, for some changes to the format and inclusions in Sticky Wicket. This has occurred at short notice to have a Sticky Wicket produced for our Season Opening tonight (July 23 2012) that includes some of his material. This copy, as we prepare it, is in an embryonic stage and will advance through the early stages of the season. Such a change is a welcoming sign as we all work in expanding our South Australian Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association (SACUSA) membership with new umpires, scorers and other interested people from the South Australian cricket world and in reaching a wider audience. Sticky Wicket SACUSA’s publication and relies on and encourages input from all members, from SACA when required, and from affiliated Associations. It aims to provide some fun and informative articles both from within our ranks and from our Umpiring Manager.
SACUSA on Facebook
SACUSA Golf Day 2012.
SACUSA is now on Facebook! The EC recognize that our Association needs to be seen and spread our message as far and wide as possible. Facebook is the modern generation’s website and communication medium which is a resource we should to tap into in order to grow our Association. It gives us a chance to get information out instantly far and wide to our friends who “like” us, so join up now.
The annual SACUSA Golf Day was again held at the picturesque Mt. Lofty Golf Club on Sunday 22 nd April. The course was at its typical April best – windy with the threat of rain, when 3 groups of players set off to challenge the course. Conditions proved to be tough , as in the 3 nearest the pin competitions, only one hole resulted in a players putting their drive onto the green. Geoff Benn was close, but was beaten by Graham Slater with a hit 1.5 m from the pin. The longest drive on the 18th hole was won by Daryl Harper, indicating how he spent his spare time umpiring on the International circuit. The other long hitter- Michael Sheppard- hit a long hit, but strayed off the fairway. Has anyone seen him?
Upcoming Dates 28th & 29th July—Level 2 Course 8th August—SACUSA AGM 13th August—Level 1 Course 14th August— PDCA Umpire AGM 20th August—Level 1 Course 20th August– ATCUSA AGM 22nd August—New Umpire Laws 29th August—New Umpires Laws 1st September—Presenter Course 3rd September—ATCUSA Meeting 4th September– PDCA Umpire Meeting 5th September—New Umpires Laws 12th September—Grade By-Laws 15th & 16th September— State Umpire Seminar
Overall results for the day, saw Daryl Harper achieve the best Stableford score (33 points) for the handicap players, and Michael Sheppard best for the non handicap players. The NAGA award was strongly contested by our own Neil Poulton (who took on the course with a putter and a 7 iron ) and Steve Warren, with Steve winning ( or losing) by 3 strokes. All participants enjoyed the day and plan to try again next year. We ventured on to the home of Judy and David Little for an excellent BBQ, wine tasting and story telling. Many non-golfers joined the BBQ and we had an enjoyable afternoon. Many thanks to Judy and David for their contributions to the afternoon.
2012-13 National Umpire Panel announced Cricket Australia (CA) today announced the following umpires have been invited onto the National Umpire Panel for the 2012-13 season. The National Umpire Panel has only one change from the previous year with Sam Nogajski making his debut on the list, replacing the retiring Bob Parry. The 2012-13 National Umpire Panel is:
Simon Fry
Paul Wilson
Abood, Gerard Barrow, Ashley Fry, Simon Joshua, Geoff Lock, Ian Martell, Michael Nogajski, Sam Oxenford, Bruce Reiffel, Paul Ward, Anthony Ward, John Wilson, Paul
State Umpiring Forum Early in June the “brains-trust” of umpiring in South Australia gathered at the National Wine Centre to discuss all things umpiring in SA. Representatives from ten associations covered such topics as, umpire recruitment, training needs, Cricket Australia’s new Level 2 program and assisted in developing umpiring’s strategies and goals over the next 2 years. Following the 8 hours of discussion, debate and collaboration the group got together at the British Hotel for dinner and more discussion throughout the night. The success of this event is testimony to how far umpiring has come in the past 4 years and the co-operation that is now evident in umpiring all over the state.
Cricket Umpire Max O'Connell in his footy days Did you know that one of our long time retired cricket umpires who regularly attends our SAC USA meetings, who umpired 19 Test cricket matches and was a well regarded Australian rules football umpire, also played football for Port Adelaide Magpies. From his footy days, Max recalls: I remember getting an ankle injury whilst playing for Port Adelaide League side and our captain Fos Williams sent me off for specialist treatment. Unbeknown to me the specialist turned out to be an ardent Port supporter and was a local grave digger, who lived near-by to the Alberton Oval. He did not measure me for a box!!! and after a few laughs with him, I left for some real treatment and recovered to my captain’s satisfaction to play the next game. Back to cricket: Max actually officiated in 20 test matches, one being the Australia v Rest of the World match in Melbourne – but this match was not recognised as an official test match. However the 254 runs by Gary Sobers in the second innings of this game was recorded as a test double hundred!! Double standards? Back to football: Max can claim fame as being the only person to have umpired Test cricket (8 matches) and interstate football matches ( Victoria v Western Australia: 2 matches) at the MCG. Maybe Max could be a guest speaker at one of our meetings to relate some memories from (sorry Max) the olden days!!! Now sea this An answer I can understand. A sea-loving tourist asks an Irishman: "Why do Scuba divers always fall backwards off their boats?" To which the Irishman replies: "They have to go backwards. If they fell forwards, they'd still be in the boat." Miss Reported on good authority, a promising young batsman promoted from B to A Grade, played perfect shot to each of the first five balls he faced from an seasoned A Grade swing bowler, without making contact with any! After the last ball of the over the bowler stood in ‘teapot stance’ just in front of young colt and enquires “are you on effing work experience?” Thanks to David Brandon
Stuck on, or in. Kevin Tuting and Ian Hill were umpiring a Women's B grade match between Sturt and West Torrens at the Helen Black Oval on February 19th 2012. The Sturt captain who opened the innings was out bowled by the West Torrens captain in a rare manner. A right hander, she hit the ball on to her left foot and the ball rebounded into the stumps where it became wedged, between middle and leg about a third of the way up. As the bails were dislodged she was out of course. She looked astonished and then accepted that she was out and walked off. Kevin, in retrieving the ball, found that it was stuck firmly between the stumps.
Paul Reiffel Test Debut Cricket Australia (CA) today congratulates former Test paceman Paul Reiffel who last night made his Test umpiring debut in the match between West Indies and New Zealand in Antigua. Reiffel becomes just the fifth former Australian Test player to umpire a Test match, behind fellow players turned officials Charles Bannerman, George Coulthard, Patrick George McShane and Alan Richardson. CA Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said it was great to see another Australian umpiring at Test level and a testament to CA’s umpire program. “Paul was a terrific cricketer for Australia who is now proving that he is an excellent official as well and we wish him all the best for his Test umpiring debut in the Caribbean later tonight Australian time,” Mr Sutherland said. “Paul becomes just the fifth former Australian cricketer to make the transition from Test player to Test umpire and joins countrymen Steve Davis, Simon Taufel, Rod Tucker and Bruce Oxenford as current Australian Test umpires, the most of any ICC member nation. “Paul’s rise to the top of umpiring ranks continues Australia’s proud history of producing quality umpires who have come through the development pathway and on to international honours. We hope his transition from player to umpire will continue to inspire others to take that path once their playing days have concluded.”
Umpire Registration Benefits
Umpire Member Benefits Card
Cricket Australia Accreditation Renewals
JLT Cricket Insurance Premium Paid
Discount on Cricket Australia Accreditation Courses
Access to training materials and seminars
Season Ticket to all Ryobi Cup matches at Adelaide Oval
Access to Cricket SA corporate health plan and associated discounts from BUPA
Discount on Internet from Internode
10% Discount on bicycle accessories from all Standish Cycles Stores
10% Corporate Discount on Membership to Goodlife Health Clubs
3 Day pass to Goodlife Health Clubs
More benefits to come in the next few months.