New umpires for Bowls Gisborne East Coast greens

Bowls New Zealand umpires committee chairman Michael Johnson (centre) and Bowls Gisborne-East Coast Umpires Association president Kym Brown (right) with successful Level 1 umpire candidates (from left) Geoff and Karen Pinn and Ngamiro Allen.

Gisborne’s lawn bowlers have received a welcome boost to their umpiring stocks.

Kahutia Bowling Club members Karen Pinn, Geoff Pinn and Ngamiro Allen have passed Level 1 umpire exams under the gaze of Bowls New Zealand umpires committee chairman Michael Johnson, of Wellington.

He conducted the exam with the help of Bowls Gisborne-East Coast Umpires Association president Kym Brown.

Geoff and Karen Pinn passed the umpire law exams after eight weeks of online courses and assignments on umpire law, with guidance from mentor and umpire Sue Way.

They then had four weeks of practical and measuring lessons from Brown and Bowls Gisborne-East Coast Umpires Association secretary Lesley Seymour to get them ready for the final exam with Johnson.

Allen and Poverty Bay Bowling Club’s Jon Davies, having passed their umpire law exams over a year ago, did the measuring exam on the same day as Geoff and Karen Pinn. The four of them are now accredited to umpire at club and centre events.

Also on that day, Brown passed her Level 2 umpire exam. She is now accredited to officiate at club, centre, regional and national events.