The North West Umpires Association is appealing for more members as dwindling numbers could mean that some senior matches will be without officials in 2026.

For several years the North West Umpires and Scorers Association have faced the challenge around the recruitment and retention within their umpiring ranks. The 2026 season is shaping up to be no different. With a number within their current members indicating that they will either not be standing or have reduced availability.

Like previous seasons the Association has attended the North West Annual General meeting and written to all affiliated clubs asking for some of their members to put their hands up to attend the up and coming Level 1 umpire course, delivered by ICC umpire tutors. 

With three weeks to go until the course is held on the weekend of the 21st and 22nd March, the uptake has been slow, with only two new candidates registered to date. 

"The way that things currently look, it is very unlikely that the association will be able to on a regular basis appoint umpires to all Premiership and Championship matches which will require 16 umpires each Saturday and Sunday," said a spokesperson for the Association.

"In addition to this if new umpires are not found then we will find ourselves in a position were we will not be appointing to the Group Stages of the North West T20 Competitions and the Women's competitions simply due to the lack of numbers. 

"It is simply not sustainable or realistic to ask the same few members to juggle family, work and cricket life expecting  people to go out and umpire four and five times week in, week out all through the summer.

"We have to look after their welfare and the last thing we want to do is, burn people out and in turn loose them from the game. 

"With three weeks to the course, something can still be done to improve the numbers, even if someone can only umpire several times in a season it will be a help.

"There are several clubs across the North West that provide no umpires at all to the Umpiring Association, if each of these clubs ask one person to attend the course and umpire a few games it will be a big help. 

"We really do need the cricketing community in the North West to take this seriously and sit up and listen." 

Please find enclosed the link for the upcoming course. https://mycricket.sport80.com/public/wizard/e/271