In what appears a positive move, training for the NCCUA Umpires will commence on Monday 30 January 2006 at Nobby's beach from 6pm throughout the month of February.
The normal venue of Hawkins Oval in Wickham will be used on Wednesday 1 February 2006 from 6.00pm and then each successive Wednesday.
Umpires' Coach, Grant Godfrey said the use of different venues in pre-season should attract more to training because of the emphasis on enjoying the training regime.
"I am trying to make training as enjoyable as possible," Godfrey said
"The use of beach running was received well last season, so hopefully this will encourage more umpires to start their running regime earlier next season and not leave it until the last minute to get fit".
He wants the umpires at their peak for the start of the 2006 season, not half way through and expects them to already be training in anticipation of great season of football.
Unofficially, for some training has not ceased.
Currently Grant and a number of other umpires are holding training runs at Newcastle Athletics field (behind No. 2 Sportsground).
Last Modified on 18/02/2006 08:14