Umpiring and Marking

Introduction

In England the English Bowls Umpires Association offer training courses leading to qualification as an umpire, and also provide courses leading to a Certificate of Competence as a marker.

Information on qualifying as an English Short Mat Bowling Association umpire is available through this Umpires Contact Form.

The English Bowling Federation are seeking new markers amd umpires, and information on the respective qualifications is available here.

Few bowlers have not been asked to mark at some stage and although some clubs run ad hoc marker training sessions, the task is often performed as a matter of courtesy rather than from a position of experience and knowledge. There are also occasions where, in the absence of a qualified umpire, a marker may be asked to adjudicate on a contested measure or some aspect of the laws. For both roles a thorough knowledge and understanding of the laws are obvious prerequisites, but etiquette and practical experience in using measures and other 'tools of the trade' are also important. These seven books (four of them online) and two DVDs will help to prepare you for these tasks.

The books and DVDs listed below all relate to flat green bowls. If you know of anything similar for any of the other codes, please .

	Title  (Click title below)	Author, Compiler, Editor, etc
Books
	Bowls New Zealand Umpires Handbook	Bowls New Zealand Umpires Committee
	English Bowls Umpires Association - Home Study Manual	English Bowls Umpires Association
	English Bowls Umpires Association - Training Manual	English Bowls Umpires Association
	Etiquette of Marking in Lawn Bowls, The	John A Malan
	Laws, the Duties & Etiquette Applicable to Markers, The	Keith McKinley Wilson
	Markers . . . Laws & Duties	Royal Victorian Bowls Association
	Marker's and Umpire's Duties, The	World Bowls and Bowls England
DVDs
	Umpire Training DVD	English Bowls Umpires Association
	World Bowls: Umpiring & Marking Skills	World Bowls