Andy Searson, from Birmingham University, has been studying Italian during his compulsory year abroad, in Catania, Italy. This is part of the ECC coaching development, whereby he was qualified as an ECB Level 1 Coach before leaving London over 6 months ago and encouraged to develop cricket in his University area. The ECDO recently visited Andy and is pleased to report that Andy has almost reached hero status amongst the local cricketing youngsters. The game has really begun to flourish under his guidance, proving that University Cricket Coaches are worth investing in to assist in developing the game in Europe. Congratulations to Andy on a job well done. The ECDO recently visited Slovenia to assist in the development of cricket in this country. Damir Alidzanovic, a keen cricketer from Slovenia, has been instrumental in keeping the game going in Slovenia. ECC looks forward to working with him over the coming months to increase the participation of the game and implement a basic development programme. 1999 has seen 35 Umpiring Certificates awarded. France Cricket recently held a weekend umpiring symposium, which successfully awarded 17 people, Don Oslear took a course earlier in the year in Corfu, Greece, which saw 5 people awarded with the certificate and another course was recently completed in Munich, where a further 13 people were awarded their certificate. ECC congratulates all involved. Last month we congratulated Mrs C Trykush of Cyprus on being the first female to gain an ECB Level 1 in Europe. Apologies are extended to the following two Spanish women who were awarded theirs in Marbella, Spain, July 1998; Miss. V Patel and Miss. C Pou. Congratulations to all three!