Given that Core AC’s Steve Wood is from Co Durham in the UK, it is hardly surprising that his abiding passion is cricket. Not content with watching the game, Steve still actively plays and, in recent years, has taken to umpiring. This is indeed a brave move as anyone who knows cricket understands that umpiring, especially in the amateur junior and senior leagues, can be more dangerous than playing. Disputes are commonplace and the umpire has to be not only knowledgeable but also strong-minded and confident.
As a member of Wexford Wanderers Cricket Club, Steve has travelled throughout Leinster playing and umpiring in the LCU senior and junior leagues. Traditionally, cricket is particularly strong in the Wexford region though the changing face of Ireland is well-reflected in the make-up of the Wexford Wanderers Cricket Club senor first team. Countries represented include Ireland, England, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Wales, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
While still playing for the club’s senior first team, Steve is focussing more and more on umpiring. He has already done the necessary exams and with umpires being under constant assessment is improving up to a Grade 3 umpire for Leinster cricket. In this capacity he travels the length and breadth of Leinster, spending a lot of time away from home over the weekends.
“It is a bit of a challenge trying to juggle the playing and umpiring but,for this coming season at least, I’m going to give it a go. I expect though that, as the years roll on, I will bow out of playing to concentrate on umpiring.”
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Source: Betrallyindia.com