Austrian Cricket Association

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Following on from last year's ECC Introductory Level Course, at which there was a 100% pass rate, Graham Cooper returned to wintry Vienna to put another crop of budding umpires through their paces. Many clubs sent candidates for the first time, so Austria should be well on the way to having an Introductory Level umpire attached to every club. This is a clear sign of the increasing commitment by clubs to improving umpiring in Austria, in particular newer clubs. The benefits of such seminars are multiple - not only are umpires put through their paces ahead of the season to ensure an increased standard of quality in the umpiring, but there is the trickle-down effect that those who still play actively are also more aware of the spirit in which the game is played and the finer points of the Laws of Cricket.

There was a particularly pleasing age-range represented, including young cricketers Praveen Dias (Austria CC) and Olaf van den Hoven (Vienna CC). The Austrian Cricket Association and Austrian Union of Cricket Umpires and Scorers would like to extend their thanks to ASKÖ-Wien for assisting by providing a seminar room and superb catering facilities at their Sports Centre in Atzgersdorf - a venue traditionally better associated with Rugby, American Football and Soccer than cricket.