Absolutely delighted to welcome South Coast Panel official Dean Daniels (@DanielsDeanJ) to No Boundaries as an official umpire and mentor to those that are considering becoming umpires, and of course we will be delighted to have him stand in some of our games ‘down South’.
He recommends umpiring as a great way for ex players to remain involved in the game and give back to cricket whilst contributing to the future of the sport’
I’m an umpire, tutor and mentor, cricket has given me a lot and I want to keep involved in a great sport.
For those less talented or just not interested umpiring is a great way to get involved, enjoy being part of a team, be out in the fresh air (occasionally even the sun) and meet people. The ECB have some great courses, which are worth doing for all players as well as those that may consider venturing down the same path as Dean.
About Dean
Dean’s love affair with cricket began when he started playing in the Dorset League for Blandford St Mary and later the Old Blandfordians. Dean was an opening bat and a blocker, but bowled a bit of flighted filth veiled as leg spin.
As the Old Blandfordians rose up the Sunday leagues, there was a requirement to supply an umpire and Dean’s playing ability made him dispensable and he was always happy to umpire. The feedback from opposing teams was complimentary about Dean’s umpiring which made him think seriously about umpiring.
At the end of the 2011 season Dean decided that it was time to stop playing and concentrate on umpiring, in the close season Dean attended the Level 1 umpiring course and from 2012 started to umpire in the Dorset Cricket League. In 2013 Dean moved to umpire his Saturday cricket in the Southern Premier League, as an ECB Premier League this opened up a progression pathway that was not available in Dorset.
Dean progressed at pace through the grades in the Southern League and alongside completing Level 1A, 2 and 3, Dean was well set to umpire multi day cricket and go as far with his umpiring as his abilities would take him. In 2018 Dean was appointed to the U17 County Championship Final at Arundel between Yorkshire and Surrey.
In 2019 Dean had the great honour of being appointed to the ECB National Panel where he stands in County Second XI cricket and National Counties cricket (formerly Minor Counties). Dean has been reappointed to the National Panel for 2023 which will be his 5th season at that level.
Dean is also a Tutor and Mentor and loves to support others in their umpiring journey to give back to a pathway which has been so rewarding to him. Dean will stand in his 700th appointed match in 2023 and is vastly experienced. Dean is happy to stand in any match anywhere and continue to give back to a sport that he loves.
‘I am excited at the opportunity to be part of No Boundaries, cricket is amazing as a sport and the connections and friendships really do last a lifetime’.
