DRAKES Huddersfield Cricket League chairman Roger France warned all clubs over making payments to Overseas players who are coming to play on Sports Visitors Visas this season.

In the first Council meeting of 2009, Executive Secretary Trevor Atkinson re-affirmed the two preferred methods of recruiting overseas players this season, according to ECB recommendations.

The first method is by employing a professional/player coach, who must not only have a Level Two coaching certificate, but must also have played five first-class games in the last 24 months.

The second method is to recruit a player who plays on an amateur basis in his own country, and who must play as an amateur in the UK.

Administration secretary Judith France reminded clubs that prior to the start of the season on April 18, proof was needed of clubs’ public liability insurance.

Umpires Association secretary Ron Tindall also informed representatives that all clubs must ensure their club umpires (those not on the official umpires list) must have adequate insurance and must be CRB checked.

Anyone ‘standing in’ for a club umpire should sign a self-certification form.