Rotorua cricket umpire Colin Elstob is New Zealand's favourite umpire – as decided by New Zealand Cricket and Specsavers.

New Zealand Cricket and Specsavers held a competition to find the favourite umpire in an effort to reward an umpire who is hugely passionate about grassroots cricket.

Colin Elstob calls it ‘out'.

From playing cricket at boarding school in Gisborne, Colin's passion for the game grew over the years, with one of his undoubted highlights being to earn selection in the Royal New Zealand Navy team that played in the annual inter-service cricket tournament.

Last year the popular Bay of Plenty umpire earned promotion to the Northern Districts top 10 umpire panel, standing in several Fergus Hickey Rosebowl matches.

'I really love cricket, both playing and umpiring so it is fantastic to walk away with an award for something that I love doing,” says Colin.

'Seeing kids enjoying and learning more about our great game is what it is all about.

'If I can do my part to help them as they continue to develop and grow as cricketers then that's fantastic.”

New Zealand international cricket umpire Tony Hill adjudicated the competition.

Colin beat off five other major association nominations to take out an impressive list of prizes.

As part of his award Colin will have an intensive one-on-one training session with Tony Hill.