{"id":144421,"date":"2017-02-21T06:02:00","date_gmt":"2017-02-21T04:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/144421\/family-shares-passion-for-cricket\/"},"modified":"2017-02-21T15:51:07","modified_gmt":"2017-02-21T13:51:07","slug":"family-shares-passion-for-cricket","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/sports-news\/2017\/02\/21\/family-shares-passion-for-cricket\/","title":{"rendered":"Family shares passion for cricket"},"content":{"rendered":"

A passion for cricket was sparked in the Piccaro family from Lambton many years ago when son Keegan (17) first began playing the game.<\/p>\n

The family is made up of dad Chris, mom Vanette, eldest son Keegan and youngest son Kieran.<\/p>

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\u201cWe travelled to the Lenasia Premier League, and it was there that we decided to begin our umpiring training and do the course,\u201d said Vanette.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur decision was based on what we saw at the league.<\/p>

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\u201cThe level of umpiring skill left lots to be desired as parents or coaches would stand in for umpires.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost of them didn\u2019t know what they were doing, so when we saw the low standards we decided to become involved and make a difference,\u201d said Chris.<\/p>\n

The family originally planned to get involved by umpiring school matches, but then discovered just how much more there was to umpiring.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all decided then that we were willing to tackle the challenge,\u201d said Chris.<\/p>\n

Keegan and Chris were the first to become qualified, with Vanette following suit soon afterwards.<\/p>\n

Keegan first qualified at the age of 13, making him one of the youngest qualified umpires, and he now umpires premier games.<\/p>\n

All three are now level three qualified umpires, having passed all the necessary exams and gained the needed experience through designated amounts of match time.<\/p>\n

When asked which form of match is their favourite – T20, test match or one day – the family all agree as long as it’s cricket they are happy.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor us it really doesn\u2019t make a difference; a T20 is as good as a test match,\u201d said Chris.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere isn\u2019t much difference. Your level of concentration and preparation remains the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before each match the trio each check that their game bag is prepared. This includes a number of items that help them perform at their peak, including a law book and clicker and, in addition, they also prepare for the condition of play as best they can.<\/p>\n

\u201cEach game is different, with conditions differing from day to day and pitch to pitch,\u201d said Chris.<\/p>\n

The family\u2019s shared passion for the sport means that they are able to study together and help each other.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all enjoy and love cricket, it is our sport and we can never have enough of it,\u201d Chris said with a laugh.<\/p>\n

Keegan, head boy at Afrikaanse Ho\u00ebrskool Germiston, still plays cricket and umpires but has taken more of a dedicated approach to his studies this year as he is tackling matric.<\/p>\n

He believes that umpiring has helped in his everyday life because he is able to find solutions to conflicts and stand up for himself and what he believes in. It has also taught him a great deal about responsibility and self-control, he says.<\/p>\n

Keegan and Vanette hope to move forward in their umpiring careers, with Keegan excited for the doors that it may open for him both locally and overseas.<\/p>\n

Chris hopes to continue to share his knowledge on the game he loves so much, teaching others the ins and outs of umpiring.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be an umpire you have to have passion and if we can share that passion will be happy,\u201d said Chris.<\/p>\n