Umpire Ryan Banwarie begins to reap rewards for hard work

Jul 26, 2017 Sports

By Sean Devers

Umpire Ryan Banwarie is beginning to reap the rewards of his hard work, focus and commitment as a Cricket Umpire resulting in the 27-year-old Guyanese being selected to officiate in the July 26 to August 4 Regional U-15 tournament in Barbados.
Having umpired in the last years’ Regional ladies tournament in Guyana, this is Banwarie’s second Regional competition and first overseas assignment and when he walks out today with Jonathan Blades at the Police ground in Bridgetown to call play in the Barbados against Windwards game it will be a great experience for him.
“It’s a tremendous feeling to be participating in any West Indies Regional Match. I am excited but at the same time I want to experience the culture of the West Indies and to grasp as much from my colleagues who are seasoned campaigners,” Banwarie disclosed.
It’s ironic that Banwarie, born on October 26, 1989, is making his Regional U-15 Umpiring debut at the Police ground since he is a member of the Guyana Police Force Club and played a few second division games for Police.
In fact, it was at the Police ground in Guyana that his Umpiring career was born when he was asked by former Test Umpire Eddy Nicholas, himself a former Police batsman, if he was interested in being the grounds man.
“I had no interest in being a grounds man but I enquired about Umpiring and was encouraged to engage in the yearly classes,” informed Banwarie, who attended IBE and then the Business School.
He did not need any further probing and soon passed the Preliminary exams conducted by the Guyana Cricket Umpires Association before topping a class of 90 at the Regional West Indies Cricket Umpires Association’s Final written. Banwarie then completed his Oral and Practical exams.
Not surprisingly the young Umpire says that Nicholls is his mentor and has played a tremendous role in his maturity as an Umpire.
Banwarie said he has learned from every Umpire who has done games with him but says International Umpire Nigel Dugid, Colin Alfred and Shannon Crawford are also responsible for his Umpiring development.
Banwarie has lived his entire life in BV on the East Coast of Demerara and reveled that his parents are big supporters of his career, both as a Public Servant and an Umpire as he aspires to be a humble Ambassador for his Country. “I am thankful to my superiors who have always embraced sports and have afforded me the time off to do what I love to do….Umpiring,” stated Banwarie.
“My usual routine before a day’s play consist of lots of things. I believe that preparation is King. I try to pack my necessary gear as soon as I am informed of a local assignment, familiarize myself with the playing conditions, imagine possible scenarios and how best to deal with them.
I believe that whilst infield decisions are important Umpires must possess great man management and conflict resolution skills to negate any on-field conflict,” Banwarie explained.
Asked what was his biggest challenge as an umpire? Banwarie took a while before answering. “I always try to be perfect on the field, wanting to give my best at all times but while that is a good thing, whenever I make a wrong decision, especially one that changes the outcome of the game, it’s just hard for me to live with. It just plays on my mind,” said Banwarie who believes in trusting his eyes then his ears.
“My primary objective is to continue to learn from my experienced colleagues and Umpire Coach, I would like to further establish myself on the WI ‘B’ Panel and take it from there. That’s my five-year plan,” disclosed Banwarie.
“We all want to go to the top one day but that can only be achieved through hard and dedicated work,” said Banwarie, who enjoys spending time with friends and family and playing scrabble, Pools and Poker.
Banwarie feels that not only Captains but anyone who loves cricket should attend the Umpiring classes if they can.
“We all need to be educated about the sport we love. Captains have a moral obligation and responsibility to be aware of the Laws of Cricket. After all they are responsible for the good conduct of their team and that the game is played within the spirit and Laws of the game,” noted Banwarie.
As a budding young Umpire Banwarie believes that the use of Technology and referrals at the highest level does not make the Umpire lazy, but serves to develop the game and help the sport to evolve more.
“Umpires and players are more aware of the common mistakes now than 10, 20 years ago. It’s my opinion that that can only make an Umpire more aware and will make him want to develop and correct himself if it the replay shows that he made the wrong decision,” said Banwarie, who says he could eat Cook-up Rice every day of the week.