Michael Johnson, Chair of the Bowls New Zealand Umpires’ Committee

Two new umpires, Pauline Seaton and David Burrage, were recently added to New Zealand’s pool of umpires able to officiate at international lawns bowls tournaments.

Newly-appointed member of the World Bowls Laws & Constitution Committee, Helen Stallard and Chair of the Bowls New Zealand Umpires’ Committee, Michael Johnson ran the accreditation process at three venues around New Zealand …  at Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland.

“It was right in time for the World Champion of Champion Singles at Naenae,” explains Michael.  “And as a result we’ll have the opportunity to put Dave and Pauline’s newly-recognised expertise into action almost immediately!”

“On top of that, we also have a full season of National events ahead of us … now we’re through the worst of COVID.  So they’ll also get the chance to umpire or direct umpiring at the highest level nationally.”

Pauline is thrilled.  “I was starting to think that with COVID that the chance to gain accreditation would never happen.  But now it has, I’m over the moon that I passed!”

It’s going to mean that Pauline will need to review her commitments in the wool shed on their 8,000 acre high country merino station at Waipiata in the Central Otago.  “Bowls is going to be taking up a lot more time.  I’m also the Central Otago Centre Manager, and we’ve got a busy year ahead hosting the Nationals in February/March.”

David is also chuffed.  “The accreditation process was a step up from what I had experienced before.  But I did a lot of homework beforehand.  That even included laying up bowls on the lounge floor, and practising my marking!”

Dave and Pauline can now umpire lawn bowls at the highest level … at the Commonwealth Games and World Bowls Championships.  They join a pool of 15 other Kiwis who may be called upon to umpire internationals.

“Traditionally, the bulk of ‘International Technical Officials’ as they are called, are provided by the host country.  But this last year for instance, two ITOs were selected to officiate at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham : Sue Way and Wendy Suttie.”

“ITOs are the top level of umpiring,” explains Michael, “We refer to them as Level 3 umpires in New Zealand.  Level 2 umpires can officiate to national level, and Level 1 umpires can officiate to Centre level.”

“Many bowling clubs have at least one Level 1 umpire.”

At all three levels, the accreditation process is tough, and requires a lot of commitment.

Level 1 and Level 2, umpires need to be re-accredited every 4 years.  “Level 3, accreditation lasts for 5 years, but as you can imagine, the accreditation process is far more demanding … it’s a mixture of written and practical examination lasting a couple of hours.”

“Having said that, not just anyone can go for it.  We try to make sure that applicants already have the requisite skills and experience to potentially make them a good international umpire.  The rest is up to their preparation.”

The Level 3 accreditation process is not held often.

“It’s usually every two or three years.  depending on our international commitments.  We currently have the Champion of Champion Singles here this year and next, so it’s a good time to introduce new umpires.”

Eleven prospective Level 3 umpires participated in this last accreditation process : 5 in Auckland and 3 in each of Wellington and Christchurch.  Five of these were first timers.

“Dave and Pauline were the only two first timers to be successful,” says Michael.  “Five others were re-accredited as well.”

“That’s usually the way it goes … the people who apply to umpire at the highest level are already passionate about the sport … they’ve already invested a lot of time and energy in lawn bowls … not just in umpiring.  So they can want to do it by hook or by crook!”