Cricket Australia would like to congratulate the March Community Umpire of the Month recipients, the final group for season 24/25.
The final Community Umpire of the Month awards have been awarded to three community umpires in the Male, Multicultural and Emerging categories.
Male category: Rod Rice (QLD) wears many hats in cricket. As President of Qld Veterans Cricket, he is currently organising umpires for the Cooper Findlay Cup. He is engaged with GCCU&SA, providing input at meetings and assisting members with OHQ. He helps across other competitions, including Brisbane Premier, appointments for the National Cricket Inclusion Cup and grant writing for GCCU&SA and Logan District CA.
Multicultural category: Venu Jala (QLD). In addition to standing in Premier Cricket appointments, Venu has also contributed to various multicultural competitions that have been run in conjunction with Queensland Cricket - the Multinations Challenger Cup, the QLD Nepalese Cricket Association, and the ICCA Global Championships. Venu has also stood in the 2024 & 2025 editions of the National Cricket Inclusion Championships, garnering praise for his work with cricketers with an Intellectual Disability.
Emerging category: Trevor Jones (QLD). During his first year of umpiring, Trevor has gone above and beyond to help other new umpires with their umpiring craft. He has engaged in learning by attending all meetings, engages in feedback and guidance after all games and helps work the BBQ for other UA members.
Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations this season. Umpiring is often a thankless task, but it is evident that umpires around the country are being noticed for the fantastic service they are providing the game in their communities.