{"id":8790,"date":"2011-03-05T15:16:10","date_gmt":"2011-03-05T23:16:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.fastpitchwest.com\/?p=8790"},"modified":"2011-03-05T16:51:25","modified_gmt":"2011-03-06T00:51:25","slug":"umpire-profile-ron-houison-australia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fastpitchwest.com\/?p=8790","title":{"rendered":"New South Wales Australia Umpires Receive ISF Certification"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>
Click logo for official ISF website.<\/figcaption><\/figure>From Southern District NSW Umpires Assoc:<\/a><\/p>\n

NSW Umpires Receive ISF Certification<\/strong>
\n21 February 2011<\/p>\n

NSW umpires Howard Watt (Far North Coast), Amanda Houison and Ron Houison (Penrith City) have been successful in gaining their ISF Umpire Certification.<\/p>\n

Their journey started over 12 months ago and culminated in a three day clinic and on-field assessments at the Softball Australia Open Men’s and Women’s National Championships in Brisbane.<\/p>\n

It was a testing week for the candidates, going to bed each night dreaming about rotations, rulings and mechanics.<\/p>\n

“Before we got to the clinic we had to complete an online rules exam. Then the clinic started last Saturday with presentations on rulings, rotations and mechanics before we had to present, in front of our peers, on these topics,” Watt said.<\/p>\n

“Once that was completed, we moved to on-diamond assessments at the open men’s and women’s nationals.”<\/p>\n

For Watt and his NSW crew mates all the hard work paid off, and a wave of relief and excitement swept over them when they were advised of their success.<\/p>\n

“I’m very happy. It’s a little bit surreal to be honest, but I think it will sink in the next few days. It’s very exciting,” Watt said.<\/p>\n

“It’s great to have three NSW umpires succeed. It’s not just good for us as individuals, but also for umpiring in NSW that we were able to walk away saying that we were successful.<\/p>\n

“It’s also good that the crew of 13 that presented passed as well – that’s the ultimate goal – if you can all get across the line it makes it much more memorable.”<\/p>\n

For more umpiring news please visit www.nswumpires.softball.org.au <\/a>or find us on Facebook www.facebook.com\/softballnswumpires<\/a><\/p>\n

\n