Umpires make the grade in Windies
Local cricket umpires Kent Gibbons, Richard Austin and Anthony Fubler all successfully completed West Indies Cricket Umpires Association (WICUA) oral and practical exams and are now fully certified to stand in the middle.
The trio are the latest Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association (BCUA) members to climb up the ranks, following in the footsteps of top umpires Roger Dill and Steven Douglas who serve on the ICC Associate and Affiliate and Americas Elite Panels.
BCUA president Wally Manders as well as seasoned stalwarts Randy Butler, George Francis and Lester Harnett all presently serve on the ICC Americas Panel.
"The Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association is proud and excited for Richard Austin, Kent Gibbons and Anthony Fubler for obtaining the WICUA qualification of umpiring," Manders said. "We, the BCUA, are continuing to work in the area of training potential umpires and scorers to improve the standard of cricket throughout the community. These gentlemen have worked hard."
Fubler is a former Willow Cuts wicketkeeper who has given much to the sport over the years in various capacities.
"I decided to become an umpire after playing for Willow Cuts for more than 20 years and then scoring and coaching a number of years in the sport I love the most," he said.
BCUA executive Austin, commented: "Passing the WICUA exams and being a fully qualified umpire is a tribute to the committed professionals in the BCUA who have paved the way forward for my generation of umpires."
Gibbons, son of late Bailey's Bay and St.George's Cup Match scorer Fred Gibbons and cousin of Americas Elite umpire Douglas, added: "It's a wonderful feeling to know I've passed the WICUA exams and to know I'm a fully qualified umpire.
"I wish my father was here to see me in the middle. He would be very proud of me."
Speaking on behalf of Bermuda Cricket Board, president Reggie Pearman congratulated the trio on their recent accomplishment.
"The Board is extremely pleased to see the advancement of Bermudian officials which benefits the sport of cricket," he said.
