Kevin Pye inducted into the New South Wales Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association Hall of Fame
NSW Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association | April 12, 2025
The Board of New South Wales Cricket Umpires’ and Scorers’ Association annually appoints a sub-committee to consider nominations for the NSWCUSA Hall of Fame. The sub-committee then makes a recommendation to the Board.
In 2025 the Hall of Fame sub-committee was unanimous that life member Kevin Pye be inducted. The Board was unanimous in its support of the sub-committee recommendation.
Kevin’s service to the NSWCUSA has been exemplary, his service to umpiring in New South Wales country is legendary. It is wonderful and deserving that the NSWCUSA Board has determined to honour him in this manner.
Kevin Pye was an outstanding umpire, officiating cricket in the Mudgee District Cricket Association, the then Mitchell Cricket Council, Western Cricket Zone, at New South Wales Country and Australian Country Cricket levels. There are many who say that he is the best umpire to come from country New South Wales.
Kevin was a member of the inaugural Country Umpire Representative Panel which was formed in season 1991-92 and still exists today, Kevin being the proud owner of cap no. 4
Kevin umpired at Australian Country Cricket Championships held in Dubbo in 1987 and Barooga in 1999.
As a country match official Kevin Pye set the standard.
Appointed by New South Wales Cricket Association, he officiated in men’s tour internationals:
- New South Wales Country v Sri Lanka at South Grafton 1990
- New South Wales Country v India at Wagga Wagga 1991
- Australian Country v West Indies at Newcastle 1993
- New South Wales Country v Zimbabwe at Dubbo 1994
- Bradman XI v South Africa at Bowral 1998
Kevin was appointed by the Australian Cricket Board to umpire the Women’s One Day International between Australia and England at Bradman Oval, Bowral in 2000
He officiated at State 2nd XI level, so rare for a country based umpire, umpiring matches between New South Wales 2nd XI and New South Wales Country, New South Wales 2nd XI and the Australian Cricket Academy.
Kevin umpired several New South Wales Country Championship fixtures including the final in 1993-94 and 1995-96.
He was a talented and highly respected umpire, so well regarded for his match management and decision making, and his knowledge and application of Laws and Playing Conditions.
Kevin was a member of the Country Umpire Representative Panel for 10 years, the winner of the Country Umpire of the Year in season 1993-94
In 2012 the Country Umpire of the Year was renamed the Kevin Pye Medal to honour not only Kevin’s ability and standing as an on field match official, but also to recognise his outstanding service to Country Cricket and to New South Wales Country Umpires.
Kevin was the inaugural NSW Country Cricket Umpire Advisor, accepting this role in season 2001-02
He did an outstanding job, still so respected from the umpires of that era.
Umpires from this era owe Kevin Pye so much. He set the standard in coaching and being able to share meaningful performance feedback. He encouraged, challenged, asked questions, and tried to help each umpire get the best out of themselves. He did so in a positive and constructive way, using his teaching and leadership skills to help instil routines, discipline and belief. He was no nonsense, a hard task master, but always fair in the extreme, had the highest of expectations, a wonderful role model on and off field. Kevin Pye led by example, his actions spoke, he was one who others wanted to follow. His work as the Umpire Advisor with the umpires at the Australian Country Cricket Championships hosted by Far North Coast Cricket Council in 2005 was of the highest quality with all competing States commenting favourably about the excellent standard of umpiring. Kevin strategically built the umpire panel for these championships and the umpires delivered.
Kevin Pye is a legend of New South Wales Country Cricket, an umpire, advisor, coach of exceptional quality, and mentor to so many. He is also a person of the highest integrity with an exemplary work ethic, one who selflessly made a massive positive difference to others. Kevin not only identified talent, he nurtured it and he developed it.
Kevin Pye becomes Hall of Fame inductee no. 16 of New South Wales Cricket Umpires’ and Scorers’ Association. It is an honour that is richly deserved by a loyal and humble servant of our game.
Kevin was presented with his Hall of Fame plaque at the NSWCUSA Annual Dinner and Awards Presentation held at Bankstown Sports Club on April 5
He was joined on the evening by wife Narelle and daughter Karen, and received a standing ovation from members and guests in attendance on the night after accepting the honour.
