A total of 80 new umpires have completed their Level 1 qualification since April, with more on course to join them.

The past few weeks has seen the last batch of courses this year aimed at qualifying more Level 1 umpires around the country, to support Local Area Plan competition requirements and the national competition scene.

Following successful courses in Cornwall and Birmingham earlier in the year, four courses have recently taken place, with around 60 candidates seeking their qualification.

The Level 1 umpires course comprises a one-day practical course and a written exam with 55 questions on the laws of the game.

So far, 41 have passed, of whom 38% are female, and this number is growing every day as candidates pass their written exam.

The first course in this series was held in partnership with Reigate and Redhill TT League in Surrey in mid-November. The league got in touch with the Technical Officials Committee to ask for guidance for team captains around serving laws, and this led to the idea of a full umpires’ course.

League secretary Peter Buckell said: “I had very positive feedback from the delegates. They commented that the course was well presented and that they learnt a lot.”

The following day came a Level 1 course in Worthing, tutored by the highly experienced Blue Badge (international) Umpire Harry Jutle from Herefordshire. This course had 22 participants, with two passing instantly and going on to umpire at the Cippenham 4 star a week later.

With the ink still drying on candidates’ exam papers, the club in Worthing has already started discussing a course next year.

Earlier this month, St Neots TTC in Cambridgeshire held a course, tutored by Brian Jackson from Lancashire, with 17 candidates attending.

Candidate Mike Howard said: “Many thanks, the course was very useful. It was interesting to see that the course appealed to players of very different levels and experience.”

The final course saw Ormesby TTC in Middlesbrough host, with 12 candidates, providing much needed umpires for the growing competition scene in the North East.

Since April, 56 male and 26 female umpires have qualified, with more on track to complete their qualifications.

During 2025 the Technical Officials Committee will continue this rapid growth in new qualification with a big push through the Midlands with discussion already under way to host courses in Telford, Birmingham, Nottingham, Wolverhampton, Derby and further afield in Worthing, with others to follow.

Does your league or club want to host a course? Please get in touch with Chris Newton.