1. The umpiring landscape
and where we Are (Might be) headinG
Colin Jones October 2018

2. The Pro League comes into being in January 2020
April 2018 – EH announces a restructure of National League
League expanded to 66 teams per gender (an increase of 18 per gender)

3. National League Structure
Premier 10
Div 1 North 10
Div 1 South 10
Conference North 12
Conference East 12
Conference West 12
5 x Regional Leagues

4. National League Appointing
With the additional workload, two Appointment Administrators will be appointed for Premier and 1st Divisions and Conferences respectively.
The posts will be advertised in due course and are open to all.
Bursaries will be payable for these posts

5. The Impact on Midlands Leagues
For this season – Four teams will be promoted to National League from Midlands Premier Divisions (no relegations from NL)
There will be no relegations from Men’s Prem and Div1 at the end of the season.
There will be relegation play-offs for the teams finishing bottom of Women’s Prem and Div 1 (will play 5th placed team in Division below)

6. NPUA Panels for 2019/20 and onwards
Premier – National Badge and primarily umpiring in the Premier Divisions
A* – as current, to give umpires with potential the opportunity to progress to Premier
A – umpires who will primarily umpire in Division One
B* – new panel for umpires with the potential to progress to Division One (similar to A*)
B – umpires more likely to be appointed to games of higher significance in the Conferences
C – umpires new to the national programme, or capable of umpiring Conference Divisions
D – NPDP, NYUPL A panel (see below), Candidate and Regional Reserve umpires
Umpires successfully assessed for C Panel will receive their National Umpire Award

7. Opportunities for Regional Umpires
During 2018/2019, Regions will be asked to nominate those umpires thought capable of umpiring in the new Conference divisions – equivalent to the upper end of existing Regional premier leagues. This is to promote opportunities for umpires to progress and undertake appropriate appointments
Regional Reserves will be sought from Regional Associations. Umpires fit to a lower standard would be accepted onto this reserve panel.
Marking scales for the new panels will be reviewed and published once the structure is agreed but will loosely follow the current FIH/NPUA boundaries

8. Opportunities for Regional Umpires
NPDP will continue as before (NPUA looking at a second tranche of NPDP nominees in Nov/Dec)
Fitness – will be retained for NPUA B Panel and above (Levels for Grade C/D yet to be agreed)
Some assessments may be undertaken this season on ‘Top of Table’ fixtures
Opportunities for Regional Umpire Coaches/Assessors
With the increase in number of umpires, NPUA will be looking to increase the numbers of Umpire Support members

9. Impact on MRHUA
It is obvious that some of our umpires will be promoted to NPUA.
With our current numbers we will not be able to appoint to all Midlands Premier and Division 1 matches unless we recruit more members
The Selection Committees will be addressing this issue at their next meetings in early November
Further announcements will follow……

10. A Glimpse into the Future
Officiating Management System (OMS)
EH are tendering for a new system to provide a unified appointing process
It is hoped that this will be implemented in time for 2019/20 season (for NPUA and Regions)
Benefits include
One database for all umpires in England
Capture of all umpiring activity from clubs upwards
A more streamlined approach to appointing
Greater communication with grass roots umpires which will hopefully generate more umpires moving towards taking neutral appointments

11. A Glimpse into the Future
Vision
To create a single body responsible for umpiring in England, engaging all umpires, clubs and current umpiring associations, to enable a unified approach to appointing, recruitment, promotion and development of umpiring in England.
Objectives
To develop a single body for umpiring in England, nationally led but locally delivered
Support umpiring at all levels through a direct membership offer, inclusive of all levels and club offer
Provide a standardised approach to umpiring, umpire assessor, coach and manager recruitment, development, progression and support across all levels of the game
Use technology effectively to streamline processes, free up volunteer time and benefit from economies of scale
Align grades and umpiring standards with league tiers and league rules
Develop high quality, easy to access, development resources for umpiring at all levels

12. Any Questions?