New chairman David Brandon is determined to lift the numbers and quality of the umpires appointed each weekend to officiate in Wellington senior club cricket.

With just 22 active umpires last season there were occasions when some Wilkinson's Hazlett Trophy matches did not have official umpires. It was not a position Cricket Wellington Umpires and Scorers’ Inc was comfortable with. After being elected unopposed as chairman at the umpires’ annual meeting Brandon made it clear that among his priorities were increasing the numbers available each weekend, and encouraging them to aspire to umpire at the highest level.

To that end the umpires will be actively seeking new recruits, and also contacting former umpires to find out if they are keen to return. Clubs can expect a visit pre-season from members of the umpires’ association aimed at building closer relationships, and talking to anyone interested in becoming an umpire.

“I’m confident we can improve our numbers, and lift our standing among the senior players,” Brandon said. “To do that will require people coming forward who are committed. We are particularly keen to attract senior players nearing retirement. Umpiring might even become a fulltime career for them. I’m intent on us running our affairs more professionally. If we do that it I’d expect we’ll have more umpires in the field each weekend, and a greater number of them on the national panels.”

Brandon has replaced former test and longtime elite panel umpire Evan Watkin, who stood down after 28 years service on the umpires board, the last seven as chairman. Watkin will continue to be involved in the weekly appointments.

Brandon, an Australian, comes with strong credentials. He umpired Sheffield Shield and state one-day matches, and was vice-president, treasurer and on the training committee of the New South Wales Umpires and Scorers’ Association, who had the honour of standing on the Sydney Cricket Ground for a four-day match between NSW and South Africa. He came to Wellington in 2003, and was appointed to one of New Zealand Cricket’s national panels.

He has already improved the remuneration the umpires will receive each weekend, established a good working relationship with Cricket Wellington, and people have quickly been impressed with his determined, clear-sighted approach, and obvious enthusiasm for umpiring and raising their profile in the province.

The newly elected board is:

Bill Sommer, president, David Brandon, chairman, Graeme Watson, secretary, Stuart Bullen, treasurer, Grant McAlister, Peter Bidwell, Phil McMahon, Aagon Wills. Training officers Jeremy Busby (umpiring) and Ian Smith (scoring) will also attend board meetings.