Welsh Petanque Association

Umpiring in the Welsh Petanque Association.

 

All umpiring activities in the United Kingdom, which includes the EPA, SPA & WPA are now administered by the British Petanque Umpires Board (BPUB). The elected Umpires from each associations now form the BPUB executive.

Objective.

To ensure that umpires throughout Britain are consistent in the method of recruitment, training, examination, development, and appointment.

Structure.

All umpires of the 3 National Associations are automatic members of the Board (BPUB) on reaching qualification (Grade 3).

The Board shall be led by an Executive comprising:

Chairman: The Senior GB International umpire

Members: The National Umpire of each member Association.

Operation.

This Board shall:

1. Set out recruitment, training and advancement criteria.
2. Ensure that every umpire appointed to a Federation or National event is suitably qualified.
3. Co-ordinate recruitment programs in each of the National Associations.
4. Set examinations and validate results across all Associations to ensure consistency is maintained.
5. Support each National Association with consistent, competent umpiring.
6. Expenses incurred in the operation of the board will be met by the umpires’ home association.

Communication.

1. The Chair of this board shall report directly to the Presidents of each National Association.
2. The National Umpires of each Association shall communicate information and rulings from this board to their own National Association umpires.

Currently, all perspective umpires need to attend a course organised by John Thatcher National of the BPUB.

The WPA is endeavouring to arrange an umpires course to be undertaken in Wales.

Each course will consist of one day’s training which consists of a presentation on the rules, open discussions and practical sessions. On the second day there will be a short review of the previous day followed by a written and practical examination.

Existing and potential umpires need to understand that as umpires they are required to support the WPA in umpiring club, regional, national and international events. Each qualified umpire is expected to officiate at least one event in a year.

These events require the umpires to be on their feet all day with very few breaks. This is not a commitment to be taken lightly, hence the courses are demanding and require each delegate to commit mentally and physically for the duration of the course.