This course is primarily for Umpires' in New Jersey and surrounding areas. For other regions, contact USACUA directly.

It is also ideal for coaches, team managers, administrators and even players (all in New Jersey area) who may just want to learn more about the Laws of Cricket, that they play and love. 

2) Why should a League Umpire do this course?
Knowledge of the Laws of Cricket alone does not make one a good Umpire.  No Umpire can ever be successful without a comprehensive; understanding, interpretation and application of these Laws.  How Umpires' would handle themselves and the players in dealing with a multitude of situations during a cricket match will directly correspond to the level and quality of their training and experience. On the flip side, an Umpires' lack of familiarity with the Laws may lead to his/ her disrepute, misunderstanding and discord among the players, more knowledgeable colleagues, and will directly impact their appointment in Leagues and Tournaments.

Every grade cricket or league Umpire should attend this course with their umpiring goals and a plan for the season in mind.  Besides, it is another opportunity for Umpires' to 'work on their game' and get ready for the season ahead. That wasn't a typo ... yes, 'WORK' on their game. It is not just the players who should be working on their game in the off-season.

3) How do I enroll for this course?
Here is an overview of the enrollment process, which is done on a 'first come-first served' basis due to limited space availability;
  a) The first step would be to send in a preliminary e-mail to Deepak Katte President@NJSCUA.com, expressing your intention to join for this course.  We will respond back via e-mail, indicating whether or not, the enrollment is possible at that time and give you information about the program.

  b) The next step would be to fill in USACUA Membership application forms (from http://usacua.com/application_for_membership_nonNY.doc) & by paying up the required NON-REFUNDABLE fees, to become a member of USACUA (through NJSCUA)

  c) The next step would be to attend the training course and be eligible for any exams or assessments.

  d) Depending upon the program you chose, take the preliminary written exam in year-1 and then subsequent exams or assessment as and when you become eligible.

  e) During all of these times, the basic requirement would be to pay up the annual membership dues and NOT be delinquent financially.

Please refer to the How do I enroll for this Training Program? section for more details.

4) What is the pre-requisite to take this course?
The first and foremost pre-requisite would be to become a Training Member of NJSCUA, thereby also becoming a MEMBER of  USACUA (through NJSCUA).

All throughout the duration of the course, you must maintain good financial standing, each year, to be eligible for attending any further training sessions or be eligible to to take up any further exams.   Members who are financially delinquent, by not paying their membership dues in time, shall not be allowed into the training sessions or to appear for any of the examinations or assessments.  No exceptions!!!.

Financial aspect apart, one needs to have a keen interest in the game, aptitude & willingness to learn.  It also helps if you have played some cricket in your lifetime, though this is not a prerequisite.

5) How many Training sessions are available in an year?
For now, the training session ONLY once a year.  Any future changes to this plan will be notified ahead of time.

6) Are there any packages available?
After securing a membership, members can choose to only opt for the training without assessment and certification. While this will reduce their dues to the USACUA, it will prevent them from securing any official qualification that might be recognized by various levels of cricket in the USA and/ or the West Indies or, for that matter, by the ICC.

As such there are 2 different packages available at this time and fees are different for each package;

a) "Training Only" Package - This package is for someone who merely wishes to attend the Training session with a view to enhance their knowledge of Cricket Laws, WITHOUT having to go through an examination or assessment.

Annual Membership fees for such members (who do not wish to take exams) would be $125 per year (per training session), which includes one year USACUA membership fees.

b) "Training Plus Exam" Package - This package is for someone who wish to attend training, go through examinations or assessments each year which finally culminates into a FULL Certification.
      - For the first year, total membership fees costs $125 (as described in "Training ONLY" package above) + $50 (as a once-in-a-lifetime examination fee), which totals to $175.
      - Second year and subsequent year's such candidates would be paying $125 PER YEAR.  This includes USACUA annual membership fees.

NOTE:
Membership fees are at the sole discretion of NJSCUA and or USACUA, who may decide to change any of the aforementioned fees at any time without any prior notice.  Members will be notified of any such changes. Also, all fees, once paid, are NON-Refundable. No exceptions!!!.

7) How much is it going to cost me to do the entire course that would lead to FULL certification?
As per the current year membership rates, the cost of entire training course's + examinations that leads to FULL certification would just be approximately $550 ($175 first year + $125 per year for 3 subsequent years).

8) Do I have to take an exam to become an Umpire or scorer?
There is no absolute need to take any exams but if you want to officiate at higher levels of the game - local league cricket and above - official certification is highly recommended.

9) How much is it going to cost me to do this course alone, without having to go through exams?
As of October 2009, the fee for the "Training Only" package is set at $125/ year.

10) What does the annual fees cover and NOT cover?
Annual enrolment fees paid by the Training Members will cover for annual Membership with USACUA and any training expenses involved in conducting the training session.

The fees does NOT cover the course material, which are NOT supplied by the association since they are freely available on the internet or from the below listed links.  Also, a small amount of money may be collected from each participant towards the end of training course, which will be used to buy gifts/memento's to the trainers as a token of our appreciation.

11) When does the Training begin?
Training begins every year on Saturdays during the harshest months of winter, January to April each year.  Dedicated lovers of the game emerge to participate in our rigorous training program, which culminates with the exams in April, thus keeping you prepared in time for the forthcoming season.

12) What is the duration of this course (Year-1)?
The sessions will run for a period of eight to 10 weeks, and will culminate with the administration of the USACUA Preliminary Exams.

13) What are the next steps after successfully completing training in Year-1?
Members who have passed the USACUA Preliminary Written Examination by fulfilling the minimum passing requirements set forth by the Training Committee and MUST attended a minimum of 75%of additional training sessions the following year (Year-2), to qualify for appearing for the USACUA Final Written Examination.  The next steps are listed above.

14) What type of certification will I be getting at the end, if I'm SUCCESSFUL with all assessments?
Upon successful completion of all of the training, examinations and assessments, a FULL certification will be awarded.

15) Is the FULL certification recognized everywhere?
Yes.  Since the Full Certification will be issued in conjunction with West Indies Cricket Umpire's Association & West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), the Full Certification will be recognized everywhere internationally and you will be eligible to officiate in ICC Tournaments.

16) Who are the trainers? what are their qualifications?
The primary trainer will be Mr. Deepak Katte, President, NJSCUA & PRO + USACUA Trainer from NJ area.  I have been a Trainer since 2011.

The other expert trainers from USACUA are Fully Certified, highly respected & experienced "Elite" Umpires', some of whom have been inducted into USA Cricket "Hall of Fame".  Some of whom have officiated as high as in Test Cricket and other ICC Tournaments, while some Umpires are appointed as external examiners on a regular basis.  In conclusion, these Umpires are some of the best in the land and gaining from their expertise and experience is second to none.

17) What do I learn in the course?
Their training program covers all 42 MCC Laws in greater depth and is accompanied by detailed study of the field craft and man-management techniques required by good Umpires. In conclusion, you will learn everything that can make you a successful Umpire, to stand at all levels of local cricket plus opens the road to National & ICC competitions.

18) How much of attendance is needed for being eligible to take exams?
Prospective Umpires are reminded that they will need to maintain an eighty percent (80%) attendance rate in order to qualify to sit any examination administered by the Association.

19) Can I ONLY attend the course and NOT take up any exams?
In general, it is optional for anyone attending for the sake of seeking knowledge in Cricket laws (no certification) but in order to be certified as an Umpire it is a must.

20) How many exams do I Need to take for Full certification?
Three (3) Written exams, one (1) 'set' of practical exams and one (1) oral examination.  More info, please refer to overview of the training program above.

21) What are the benefits of FULL Certification?
Those who complete it successfully will earn for themselves a qualification for life - a WICUA FULL Certificate. As an indicator of achievement in both academic and vocational disciplines, this is a qualification with 'real-world' value that can only assist career and employment prospects.  Apart from giving you certification, it opens your doorway to officiate at the National level and any ICC Tournaments.

22) How long will it eventually take to be FULLY Certified?
If you are successful in every exam/assessment, you would need around three to four years of training.  USACUA may however at a later stage come up with a fast track program to reduce this time interval.

23) Will enrolling for NJSCUA-USACUA Training Program grant me FULL or any other type of Membership with NJSCUA?
No.  Enrollment for training program is purely intended for pursuing training on cricket laws and that does not give anyone the privilege of automatically acquiring any other type of NJSCUA membership.

24) Will existing 'FULL' or 'Associate' NJSCUA Members teams be automatically be enrolled in to the Training Program?
No.  Enrollment for training program is purely intended for pursuing training on cricket laws and 'full' or 'associate' NJSCUA membership fees is NOT inclusive of this training membership fees.  Hence existing NJSCUA Full Members or Associate members do NOT get automatically enrolled for the training program.

25) Is there a 'discount' in training fees for existing 'FULL' or 'Associate' NJSCUA Members?
No.  Enrollment for training program is purely intended for pursuing training on cricket laws and with the fees being very nominal, there is no option for any discounts at this time.

26) What is the minimum & maximum number of enrollments needed for the course to successfully start and complete, each season?
A minimum of 12 to 15 member enrollments would be needed for our efforts to bear fruits and be financially viable for us to go ahead with the Training Program.  We are also looking to have a maximum of about 30 members, considering the seating issues and other logistics.

27) What do I need to bring with me to the Training Program?
Apart from usual items like; notepad, pen, etc., the following items are highly recommended and considered useful.  Please bring them with you for the training session.

- A copy of  Tom Smith's - New Cricket Umpiring and Scoring, internationally recognized as a definitive guide to interpretation & application of Cricket Laws.
- Copy of MCC's Laws of Cricket and all other important documents available for free downloads from the Training Resources page.
- Also, please refer to the Related Links page of this website for other useful information. 
 

NOTE:  Training materials used during the course including, software, audio and video content, CD-ROMs, DVDs, presentation slides, etc. are strictly meant for our use during training and will remain the property of USACUA and or NJSCUA as appropriate. Copies of those CANNOT BE made or shared with anyone or handed over to anyone, including Member Trainees'.  Also, since most of these materials are freely available on our website and else where on the internet, NJSCUA or USACUA will not be providing copies of the above materials.

If you still have any more questions about the course, please feel free to call us or send us an e-mail to Ump-Training@NJSCUA.com and we will provide all the necessary details.

Join... and...Try a taste of life on the centre pitch!!!