WhosTheRef.com was chosen by the England and Wales Cricket Board as the nationwide officials management system to help modernise the administration of referees and governance of their societies. It was the first sport outside of Rugby to work with Officials-For-Sports.com and provided an exciting chance to develop our systems beyond what was needed for Rugby.

Early stages

The 2010 season was considered very much a research project for English Cricket. Our service, WhosTheRef.com, was trialled in three areas: Bristol, Wiltshire, and the West of England Premier League. Close cooperation with each of these associations was crucial as:

• This was the first formal use of online technology to manage cricket across multiple areas. As such these groups were viewed as trailblazers; and
• WhosTheRef.com, a database designed for rugby, was adapted to ensure it could work for cricket and bring the same benefits

Understanding the game and managing change

During the 2010 season, we identified changes and enhancements that would be required for the software it if were to support the intricacies of cricket on a wider scale. This included researching methods of processing expense claims / match fees, and providing a reliable method of collecting captains feedback on the umpires' performances and umpires' feedback on the host clubs facilities and sprit of play.

We also took ample time to understand the culture of cricket. The specific demographics of cricket umpiring and the lack of existing systems in the sport meant that special attention was required to manage change.

Our emphasis was on assuring the volunteer workforce that the introduction of technology would bring significant benefits to their roles without reducing the importance of their knowledge and experience. We were rewarded with feedback such as:

Progress

Word began to spread in the cricketing world about our service with further associations trialling WhosTheRef.com during the 2011 season, which included testing of the new functionality we had added during the preceding winter (following the success of the 2010 season).

Our success with county associations aroused the interest of the ECB, which led to meetings in June 2011 at Lords Cricket Ground to discuss the viability of a nationwide contract. We were in competition with the UK's only other significant provider of appointing systems.

The key factors that influenced the ECB's choice of preferred supplier included:

• Willingness to adapt existing software to fulfil the needs of cricket;
• Ability to adapt the business structure to demonstrate commitment to business growth and longevity; and
• Commitment to working closely with the ECB to research and develop new solutions as their needs arise.

In 2012, we were rewarded with a contact for an initial season, with a review process to follow at the end of the season. After a successful review, we were proud to receive a three year contact running form 2013 to 2016, and another contract running from 2016 to 2019. This made WhosTheRef.com available to all cricket throughout England and Wales.

Long Term Commitments to Mutual Benefit

Officials-For-Sports.com Ltd and the ECB continue to work closely together. This had led to the development of several new features which were then made available to all users in all sports; we actively facilitate the sharing of best practice across all sports we serve. Enhancements that have originated from our relationship with the ECB include:

• InEx: Document and media store that ensures officials have access to the most up to date competition regulations and training materials
• Graphical analysis of captains' feedback on umpires, and umpires feedback on clubs and venues;
• Umpire portfolios; and
• Integration of databases.

Other activities that have arisen from our relationship with ECB include:

• The ECB facilitating formal penetration testing of our database servers;
• The development of branding options to enable a consistent look and feel across the ECB's online portals;
• Update of the user interface to accommodate could blind users;
• Working with ECB's IT department and third parties to enhance data quality, especially of the user database, ensuring accuracy of contact and membership information; and
• Implementing a two-way flow of data between the national governing body's database and WhosTheRef.com, ensuring, for example, appointers have access to the education levels of umpires.

Our Reputation

As a result of our proven track record of delivering benefits to the ECB and sport in general, we have since secured contracts with other national governing bodies: Cricket Ireland and Dutch Cricket. We are also expanding our customer base in New Zealand Cricket (whilst in discussion with New Zealand national governing body) and investigating interest from West Indies Cricket and a continental governing body.

Feedback

We are fully committed to supporting all our customers and their feedback speaks for itself. Having trialled WhosTheRef.com during the 2016/17 season, the Auckland Umpires Manager summed us up with: “I sure want to work with a responsive company and you do it so well for us. Thank you.”