Simon Taufel to coach Lankan umpires
The ICC’s umpires coach Simon Taufel has been invited by Sri Lanka Cricket next month to conduct a series of programmes with a view
to enhance the skills of local umpires. Taufel will be in Sri Lanka from October 14 to 22.
SLC’s Cricket Operations Manager Carlton Bernadus explaining the programme to the Sunday Times said, “Simon Taufel will be in Sri Lanka to conduct a workshop which will run from October 15 to 21. All Level I and Level II umpires, including the Lankan ICC Elite Panel which comprises Kumar Dharmasena, Ranmore Martinez, Ruchira Palliyaguru and Ravindra Wimalasiri along with the emerging panel of umpires are scheduled to attend this workshop. At present there are 30 Level I and II umpires in Sri Lanka.”
Bernadus further explained that Taufel would speak on the subject of ‘What is it to be an Elite Umpire’. During his speech he is billed to touch on the subjects of nutrition, conditions and work pressure.
Besides Taufel, the ICC’s regional coach Peter Manuel and the ICC Manager of Umpires Vince Vandberg are also to attend this workshop.
Peter Manuel is scheduled to take the local umpires through the new playing conditions which are recommended by the ICC and would come into effect from October 1 this year.
Vandberg will conduct a separate workshop for local match referees so that the SLC could earmark them for future development.
During the workshop Lankan elite umpire Kumar Dharmasena, who was adjudged the ICC’s Best Umpire will deliver his speech on ‘My way to the top of the elite panel’.
Also on the agenda is a Train the Trainer Programme and at the end of it the SLC’s Umpire Coach Educator T.H. Wijewardena and Carlton Bernadus will work with the 50 umpires who are not in the Level I and Level II categories.
Bernadus also said, “We are hoping to invite some cricketers in the calibre of Mahela.”