He is the appointments officer for the Dunedin Umpires and Scorers Association and he has launched a recruitment drive which he hopes will boast the thinning and ageing umpire ranks in the city.
The club season gets under way on October 28 and the situation is dire.
"We need to recruit because this season is looking a bit sparse," Henderson said, adding they were basically down to three experienced umpires — himself, Lindsay Bartlett and Roger Wyeth.
Henderson is calling on former players who want to remain involved in the game to come forward.
And his sales pitch?
"It is the best place to watch the game from," he said, and he would know.
Henderson has amassed more than 1000 games in 38 years.
Dunedin is not the only city struggling to attract umpires. Henderson said the decline in numbers was "nation-wide" with the exception of Auckland.
He is hopeful the recruitment push will turn up some new talent.
"Three would be nice, six would be great and nine would be unbelievable.
"I’ve be umpiring for 38 years and this is the first time we’ve really had a bit of a dilemma where we don’t have the numbers."
"I still enjoy it, and while I’m still capable I’ll do it. But in two years time there may not be the Roger Wyeths, the Lindsay Bartletts and the John Hendersons, because we are not getting any younger," the 67-year-old pointed out.
"Out of those three, I’m the youngest."
The Otago Cricket Association has been advertising on its social network and Henderson has emailed the clubs asking them if they know of anyone who might considered taking up the job.
There is plenty of resources and support available for anyone wanting to take up the challenge.
"We provided them with a jacket, a shirt, a hat and will give them a counter and a marker. The only thing they need is trousers and a pair of shoes."
Socks and undies might come in handy as well.
Umpires also collect a fee of $70 per game, "but, if you are in it for the money, you are doing it for the wrong reasons".
