VCA Umpires and Scorers Association(VCAUSA)
Fellowship amongst Cricket Umpires and Scorers
Annual Awards
There are 10 Annual Awards presented to Victorian Premier Cricket Umpires and Scorers each season. The ten Annual Awards not only recognise the outstanding performances by our active umpire/scorer members, but also honour the names of celebrated predecessors.
The major award, the Robin Bailhache Commitment Award, was first awarded in 1992–93 as the Norwich Umpiring Commitment Award. At a 1996 General Meeting, the following motion was passed: “That in the light of the distinguished service given to the VCAUA by Robin Bailhache, the Annual Commitment Award should be renamed the Robin Bailhache Umpiring Commitment Award.”
The Ray Isherwood Representative Umpire Award commenced in 2018–19 to recognise the best performing representative umpire in Victorian State Cricket. It is named in honour of former Australian Test umpire Ray Isherwood who umpired in Victoria from 1962 to 1987 and was a Life Member and Past President of the Association
The four men’s Premier umpiring awards were established in 2000 and were named after four celebrated Victorian Test umpires of past years, viz. Jim Phillips, Dave Elder, Ron Wright and Andy Barlow, whose names had not been honoured in any other Association award. Selection is based on the umpires’ performance throughout the season, as judged by the CV umpiring selectors.
The VCAUSA Women’s Premier Umpire of the Year Award for each Grade commenced in 2019–20 and was initially presented as one award to cover all Women's Premier Cricket. In 2021/22 however, separate awards were presented for each grade of Women's Premier Cricket.
In 2022-23, the Award for the Women's 1st XI Umpire of the year was named the Anne Eldridge Award, in honour of the pioneer Women's CV Umpire and VCAUSA Life Member Anne Eldridge, who umpired 153 CV Matches between 1996-2006. The criteria for these awards are a minimum number of five games umpired in that grade of Women's Premier Cricket, performance as judged by the CV umpiring selectors, and demonstration of a positive attitude and interest in the women’s game
The Cameron Medal Scorers’ Award was presented for the first time in 2001 and, for that year, was named the VCAUSA Scorers’ Award. It was the unanimous wish of the Association’s scorer members that their medal should be named after two of the most distinguished scorers in Victorian cricket history - Jack Cameron snr. and Jack Cameron jnr. Selection is made by the Committee of Management, in consultation with Cricket Victoria.
The Robin Bailhache Committment Award
Umpired in 27 Test matches, 93 First Class matches, and 26 Limited Overs Internationals.
One of the world’s most respected umpires during his international career in the 1970s and 1980s.
Year | Award Winner |
|---|---|
The Jim Phillips Men's 1st XI Umpiring Award
The world’s greatest umpire of the late 19th and early 20th century. Victorian born, he stood in 29 Tests in Australia, England and South Africa. A fierce enforcer of the Laws, he was respected by players and administrators alike
Year | Award Winner |
|---|---|
The Ray Isherwood Representative Umpire Award
Umpired in Victoria from 1962 to 1987 including 287 games of 1stXI and above. Stood in 30 First Class matches, 1971–86, including 3 Test matches, 1984–86. Life Member and Past President of this Association.
Year | Award Winner |
|---|---|
The Anne Eldridge Women's 1st XI Umpiring Award
Anne Eldridge was a pioneer of Women's umpiring
in CV Premier Cricket. She umpired 153 matches
between 1996 - 2007, and was also made a
VCAUSA Life Member in 2006/07.
The Women's 1st XI Umpire of the Year Award
was named after Anne, in 2022/23
Year | Award Winner |
|---|---|
The Dave Elder Men's 2nd XI Umpiring Award
Stood in 14 Tests between 1911 and 1928. Umpired such champions as Trumper, Hobbs, Bradman, Ponsford, Rhodes and Barnes. One of Australia’s greatest umpires
Year | Award Winner |
|---|---|
The Ron Wright Men's 3rd XI Umpiring Award
Stood in 13 Tests between 1947 and 1959. Described by his good friend Bill Smyth as the best umpire with whom he stood
Year | Award Winner |
|---|---|
The VCAUSA Women's 2nd XI Umpiring Award
This award is presented to the Umpire of the Year in Women's 2nd XI Premier Cricket. The criteria for this award is minimum number of five games umpired in WP2 performance as judged by the CV umpiring selectors and demonstration of a positive attitude and interest in the women’s game
Year | Award Winner |
|---|---|
The VCAUSA Women's 3rd XI Umpiring Award
This award is presented to the Umpire of the Year in Women's 3rd XI Premier Cricket. The criteria for this award is minimum number of five games umpired in WP2 performance as judged by the CV umpiring selectors and demonstration of a positive attitude and interest in the women’s game
Year | Award Winner |
|---|---|
The Cameron Medal for Scorer of the Year
Jack Cameron senior and junior have an unbroken association with North Melbourne and Victorian cricket from 1939–40 to 2002–03, with some 800 District and over 600 State and international matches between them
Year | Award Winner |
|---|---|
The Andy Barlow 4th XI Umpiring Award
A veteran of World War One, he stood in 11 Tests over a twenty year period, and umpired such greats as Bradman, Ponsford, Grimmett, Lindwall and Miller. A strong and fearless umpire
Year | Award Winner |
|---|---|
