THE new cricket season sees introduction of some changes for our Cornwall Cricket Umpire's Association panel umpires in the undertaking of their match duties; as well as uncertainties as to future control of this independent organisation.

In line with other countywide cricket leagues, the appointed Premier and County One match officials will be subject to an "Umpire Performance Assessment" by the team captains as required by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

The additional introduction of a new disciplinary system of standard "Tariff of warnings and suspensions" to deal with reported "Code of Conduct" breaches within the "higher tier" level of the Cornwall Cricket League shall, hopefully, result in a more consistent approach by the disciplinary committee against those committing such offences than was the case previously.

A pre-season meeting has taken place with the club captains to discuss and clarify implications of such changes in order that local recreation club cricket can continue to be played both within the laws and spirit by which the game has traditionally been played.

The CCUA management has been extremely active and their umpire instructors undergone a gruelling programme of training courses since Christmas. Their freely given time and dedication has been rewarded in the high success rate attained by trainees in sitting one of the three levels of ACU&S examinations.

A much publicised "Introduction to Umpiring" roadshow initiative was taken to all six council district areas of the county in an attempt to encourage more volunteers to come forward and train as umpires, although response of most local cricket clubs was extremely disappointing. There is a serious need for more new cricket officials to come forward to replace those retiring or unable to commit themselves to a full season.

Unless clubs and the league management seriously address the problem, the time may not be far away when continued dwindling of panel umpires may prevent proper cricket being played in the higher tier level of the CCL, as is the case in some of our lower divisions.

Prior to, and since the amalgamation of previous East and West cricket umpire associations back in 1991 with forming of countywide CCUA, this association has always been an independent and self managing body to train and provide umpires for the Cornwall Cricket League, CSCA and other grade matches when called upon. As with other similar local associations around the country, the CCUA has a long and loyal affiliation to the ACU&S - until recently, the only organisation that represented recreational umpires and scorers and provided the training courses from which most umpires have gained varying levels of qualifications.

The CCUA and its local bodies have been totally independence of county cricket boards and league managements - an arrangement of which there has never been any objections raised, until now! With the ECB intent to take full control of everything to do with cricket, they are apparently attempting to steam-roller through plans to force the ACU&S out of existence and to replace it.

In holding the purse-strings to all cricket funding, as many small clubs know to their own detriment, the ECB is now pressurising county boards to set up their own ECB officials' associations or receive less annual funding. Apart from a few local associations that have readily accepted the "goodies" on offer, the majority are staying loyal to the ACU&S and putting up strong resistance to protect their "independent"status and self management.