Photo Credit: USA Cricket
- The first ever USA Cricket Level 1 Umpiring & Coaching Certificates have been awarded
- 103 individuals from all corners of the USA have successfully completed and passed all modules of the USA Cricket Level 1: Umpiring Fundamentals course.
- 17 Individual recipients who were part of an ICC/USA Cricket Pilot Level 1 coaching course in 2021 have been presented with their certificates.
USA Cricket is delighted to announce the first ever group of recipients of their Level 1: Umpiring Fundamentals certificate, and the Level 1: Coaching Fundamentals certificate. 103 individual umpires from across the country have been presented with their qualifications after completing the final module of the course in March, whilst 17 individuals, mostly from the New York area, have received their coaching qualifications after completing a Level 1 pilot course in conjunction with the ICC in 2021.
This was the first time USA Cricket had run the Level 1: Umpiring Fundamentals course, with participants completing a series of 13 online theory modules on the Laws of Cricket, 4 health and safety modules, and a three-hour online instructor-led module.
The Level 1 Coaching pilot course was the precursor to the recently released ICC Foundation Course, and ICC Level 1 Course, with information and feedback gathered during the pilot crucial to the fine-tuning of these world class resources. Participants completed and passed a series of 6 online theory modules, followed by a two day in-person practical workshop at Idelwild Park in Queens, NY.
The full list of those who are now certified as USA Cricket Level 1 umpires can be found here on the USA Cricket website.
The course was predominantly constructed and facilitated by USA Cricket’s six zonal Volunteer Umpire Coordinators, and the many lessons learned from running this first cohort will enable ongoing improvements to the soon to be released second cohort of the Level 1 course, and the upcoming Level 2 course. A massive thanks must go to these six gentlemen, who continue to serve the USA umpiring community with passion and commitment.
Umpire Coordinator Vijaya Mallela remarked “The opportunity to contribute to the umpiring community, which has given me so much over many years, is what continues to motivate me. The likes of Danny Khan and others invested in me for years, and now I can pay it forward by helping USA Cricket establish and run these umpiring courses. We as USA Cricket hope that those who have recently completed this Level 1: Umpiring Fundamentals course feel empowered to umpire with greater confidence in 2022 and beyond”
USA Cricket Development Manager Jamie Lloyd added “Great to see over 100 individuals passing our first cohort of the Level 1 umpiring course. We thank the participants for their commitment to improving their umpiring craft and look forward to seeing them standing in matches all over the country this summer. We also have a second cohort of the Level 1 all ready to be released, with details to follow in the coming days. Finally, I’d like to thank our Volunteer Umpire Coordinators for their contribution to developing and running this course.”
The full list of those receiving their Level 1: Coaching Fundamentals certificate can be found here on the USA Cricket website. Among the group were current national team players Sara Farooq of the Women’s National Team, and Aaron Jones, the vice captain of the Men’s National Team.
Jones was happy to express his enthusiasm for the course. “I’d like to think that all our National Players would do their coaching certificates if given a chance. Doing the Level 1 has helped me understand my own game and challenged my own training habits more, and I can’t wait to do my Level 2. It has also given me the confidence and skills to coach in a grass-roots setting, so that I can contribute to USA Cricket beyond the playing field.”
Chair of the Development Committee Venu Pisike added “We’re proud of this first group of successful Level 1 coaching graduates, not only for passing the course, but also for contributing to the design and development of the ICC Level 1 course. Their contribution will ensure many more people across the USA can get a similar qualification. We also look forward to their ongoing contribution to grassroots cricket in their local cricket communities now that they have been equipped with additional knowledge and skills to do so.”
