Volunteers Week is from 1-7 June, so Jack Dryden talks to Bill Key and Oliver Tunnard about why they like umpiring
Rowing is widely recognised as a sport that can be carried all through life, with clubs and events to cater for all ages and abilities. But this is not just for athletes, it applies equally to those officiating. I caught up with Bill Key, one of British Rowing’s longest serving umpires, and Oliver Tunnard who, aged just 21, is the youngest umpire in the UK, to talk about their experiences and find out why they like volunteering.
Bill has been an umpire for over 55 years, adjudicating at more than 160 events in that time. What made him want to become an umpire?
He says: “I got involved with organising events soon after I started rowing, including the Cambridge Regatta. Of course, we needed umpires, so a number of the committee decided we’d just go for the exam.”
Oliver, who qualified in November 2019 at just 19 years old, has a similar story.
“I started out volunteering at Boston’s events, like the Boston Marathon. Like Bill, we had a shortage of umpires in the club. A couple of the senior men had gone through the process recently and asked if I would be interested. So, from there I started my training!”
Of course, the process of qualification has changed quite a bit over the years.
Bill remembers only a group exam: “I think we were in a room, moving little boats around and being asked questions about what would happen in this incident or that incident.”
For Oliver, there were a few more stages, although some more similar than you might expect.
“Back then, if the two crews managed to complete their race without hitting a launch or this or that, it was declared a fair race!”
He says: “I started by going to events as a trainee and shadowing. Then I had a theory exam on the Rules of Racing. Finally, there is a practical exam on the table with props. Just as Bill said, pushing around little boats and talking through scenarios!”
With the world as it is, Oliver has had a slow start to his umpiring career, though he’s looking forward to umpiring at the British Rowing Masters Championships in June.
“I’ve not actually been on a riverbank as a qualified umpire yet. I passed in November 2019, but then we had the bad winter weather and the pandemic this year. But I did do quite a few events as a trainee.”
Thankfully, there have been some virtual events to get stuck into.
Oliver says: “I helped out as a race official on the British Rowing Virtual Championships and BRIC Online. It’s obviously a very different experience sitting at home in front of your computer, but I really enjoyed it. Even though it’s virtual, it was a great way to connect with other umpires.”
Bill’s first events make quite a story, as he relates: “It would have been the Cambridge Regatta, a very big event run off what is a fairly small river.
“Back then, if the two crews managed to complete their race without hitting a launch or this or that, it was declared a fair race!”
Although, the remarkable part was what came next.
“The regatta chairman owned a motorbike shop and he used to come along with a pile of mopeds. Theoretically, it wasn’t completely in the rules, but we got away with it!”
“I find it really rewarding being part of the team putting on an event. I’d encourage anyone who enjoys rowing to think about it; it’s a great way to give back”
While the event may have started with petrol-powered umpiring from the towpath, Bill does concede it has now adopted normal static umpiring which works much better!
When I ask about their favourite part of the job, both umpires talk about community.
“Generally, it’s the camaraderie,” says Bill. “If you go to somewhere like Sudbury for instance, all along the course are gazebos and all the clubs are there enjoying themselves and encouraging their crews.”
Equally for Oliver, it’s the people who make the events what they are.
“Everyone who I’ve met through umpiring has been pleasant and I’ve got on very well with.” Although, he does mention one other side benefit. “You get the best seat in the house really, and see some excellent racing while you’re at it!”
I ask them if they have any advice or words of encouragement for people considering becoming umpires?
“People tend to see umpiring as quite serious, but it’s also a lot of fun,”says Oliver.
“I find it really rewarding being part of the team putting on an event. I’d encourage anyone who enjoys rowing to think about it; it’s a great way to give back.”
Bill is quick to agree. “You can’t run a regatta or a head race without umpires. I think it’s just part of the rowing fellowship and the fun of the sport.”
Having qualified aged 19, Oliver is keen to stress there is no need to wait until later in life.
“You don’t have to wait until you’ve stopped rowing to start umpiring. I know some events where people row in the morning and umpire in the afternoon, so it can be flexible.”
