The Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association is holding a seven-week course for new umpires starting later this month.

The practical and theory course will be held at Christ Church hall in Devonshire, starting on February 22 and will be administered as two hour sessions from 6 to 8pm.

Veteran umpire, Roger Dill, who is also the vice-president and the training officer of the BCUA, will conduct the session along with other umpires.

The BCUA is hoping the recent assignment of local umpire Emmerson Carrington to officiate at the Under-19 World Cup, which concluded in the Caribbean on the weekend, will serve as an incentive for those interested in becoming an umpire.

“I’ll also be tapping into other umpires’ experience, and even now with Emmerson having just officiated in the Under-19 tournament, he’ll come in when needed. He did well in the tournament,” Dill said.

“Every season we are fairly short. Last season we did pretty well because it was just the T20 and there were limited games, so we managed all right,” added Dill, who anticipated more matches being played this season.

“Instead of somebody doing games week in and week out, the more we have, the better it is, because we can gives guys a break. This year I think they are going to try to increase it with T20 and 50 over matches, so we’re going to need more umpires.”

Dill added: “They are trying to get back to a full season and still play Saturdays and Sundays in the two divisions. Last season we had 12 to 14 umpires consistently, some doing two T20 games in one day.

“If we can increase our numbers up to 20 or 24 it will be even better.”

The course will be open to men and women. Once participants complete the course and officiate in a minimum of four games, they will be qualified as a Bermuda cricket umpire.

Individuals with interest to sign up for the course, can contact Dill at 532-7223 or via e-mail at rogerdill@btcnet.bm.