In early September, Allan Thornhill was privileged to be invited, on behalf of World Bowls, to deliver some training for umpires and markers on the beautiful island of Jersey.

Discussion around some assistance with training umpires had been ongoing for several years but it was the hosting of the European Bowls Championships that hastened the need for some development. Arriving on the island after the short flight from London Gatwick on a Friday evening, it was straight into the Jersey Indoor Bowls Stadium for a 9 am set-up the following morning.

The training was a standard approach but also tailored to the week-long European Championships which were commencing on the Monday.

Said Allan: “Over the two days, we covered a lot of ground with 12 excellent candidates being fully engaged in the process. The weekend was organised by former Scottish international, Bowls Jersey international and Bowls Jersey development officer, Megan Kivlin.

“We covered a lot of ground. Starting on the Saturday, we had two sessions of Laws of the Sport discussion in the morning followed by a relaxed practical measuring session on the rinks. On the Sunday we again covered some further Laws of the Sport as well as Domestic Regulations and Conditions of Play, specifically related to the European Championships. On the Sunday afternoon, we held a short practical marking session on the rinks with some hints and tips on time management, answering questions and positioning.

“In order to issue a certificate, the candidates were given a 25-question paper from the World Bowls umpire development process. This they all passed successfully.

“Based on their playing record at major tournaments, including Commonwealth and World Championships, I would not consider Bowls Jersey to be a developing nation. However, World Bowls is keen to support member national authorities that don’t have the huge structures of the home nations or the likes of Bowls Australia, Canada, South Africa and others. The support provided on that weekend was very much an example of what can be offered to help the creation a robust officiating structure. I am sure discussions will continue in the future to develop this further and to assist with providing a pool of qualified officials to support their own championships but also major events on the World Bowls calendar. Bowls Jersey are no strangers to hosting such events in the past and this will continue in the future, I am sure.

“May I pass on my congratulations to all of the officials that attended and received a certificate at the end of the weekend”.