A dispute between the Warrnambool Cricket Umpires’ Association (WCUA) and the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association (WDCA) in Victoria, Australia over the management and training of umpires for the league has seen a small victory for the Umpires as they have forced the WDCA into a mediation session over the dispute.

The WDCA’s announcement that it would undertake control over the development and training of umpires for the league left the WCUA with little function beyond social networking and promotional activities.  The announcement was accompanied by an announcement of the termination of the Memorandum of Understanding formerly existing between the two organizations.

Jim Ryan, regarded as a respected Colac cricket personality and attorney, is scheduled to act as mediator in the dispute.

The WDCA is seeking to force the WCUA to allow the creation of a subcommittee created by and supervised by the clubs themselves but including representatives of the WCUA as well, to supervise umpiring in the matches.  The WDCA also seeks some input on the appointment of umpires.  The WCUA also posits that the umpire association would benefit from the association, as it would gain political and economic clout by a closer association with the league itself.

The umpires’ concerns include the possibility of unfair umpiring being promoted by the clubs through the appointment of umpires who would then owe their position to the support of the clubs, and not solely the WCUA itself.  Both sides, however, expressed optimism that mediation might lead them to a mutual agreement on the matter.