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THANK YOU THANK YOU MICHAELA
THE WOMAN WHO MADE REFEREEING COOL...
REFEREE Michaela Tabb has left the World Snooker circuit after 14 years of officiating. After moving from her early days as a pool player, Tabb had a career of firsts and helped female referees break into the game. The 47-year-old was the first woman to referee a World Championship match and final and became one of the most respected personalities in the game. We look back at the pioneering career of snooker’s first lady.
1997
Michaela began her life in cue sports as a very talented pool player. After playing competitively for six years she claimed the UK women’s singles title 1997, but won even greater prizes with her country. She captained the Scottish Ladies Pool Team to the sport’s coveted ‘grand slam’ too, with victories in the Nations Cup, European Championships and World Championship. Tabb also continued her refereeing exploits that year and made her professional debut as one of the officials in the St. Andrews Cup nineball pool tournament.
1998
In another fantastic year for Scottish pool, Captain Tabb clinched the grand slam with her team again and won more individual honours - triumphing in the European Women’s Pool Championship in Gibraltar. Refereeing was again high on the agenda though and Tabb was encouraged by her husband, professional pool player Ross McInnes, to pursue that side of the game. Officiating in the St. Andrews Cup for a second year, Michaela made her TV debut when the tournament was broadcast on Sky.
TWITTER REACTS STARS PAY TRIBUTE TO MICHAELA ON SOCIAL MEDIA
2001
Jim McKenzie, head of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, recruited Tabb to the snooker ranks in 2001. He said the sport needed to change its all-male image and fast-tracked Michaela to the highest class of referee by September that year. However, she admitted that being exempt from the standard five-year apprenticeship created bitterness among her fellow referees.
2002
In January, mere months after qualifying, Michaela took charge of her first professional ranking match. She oversaw Ken Doherty’s 5-2 first round Welsh Open win over Thailand’s James Wattana, as the Dubliner took his first step on his way to an eventual final. In the process the Scot became the first woman to officiate at a ranking event in snooker. After a faultless performance pundits praised Tabb’s calmness at such a big occasion, saying she could easily become one of the game’s top officials.
“Sad to hear @MichaelaTabb won't be part of our tour anymore. Not just a great ref but one of the nicest people you could ever wish to meet!”
Current world number 9 ‘The Gentleman’ Joe Perry (@joegentlemanjoe)
“@MichaelaTabb hey there lovely lady there's me hoping to see you in quals ha. All the best Hun xx” Women’s #1 Reanne Evans, who is aiming to qualify for the Crucible this year (@evans_reanne)
2012
The World Championship three years ago heralded yet more achievements for Michaela. It was her second final at the Crucible Theatre and, like her first, the winner was never in doubt as Ronnie O’Sullivan stormed to an 18-11 win over runner-up Ali Carter. Another milestone came earlier on in the competition. Tabb and China’s Zhu Ying refereed on the arena’s two tables on the evening of 24th April. This was the first time at the Crucible where two matches were being simultaneously refereed by women, and experts believed it could mark a shift in the game. The women made the most of their entrance too, walking out to ‘Sisters are Doin’ it for Themselves’.
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2009
Tabb built up her experience further, refereeing Crucible semi-finals in 2007 and 2008 before finally being asked to do the final of the 2009 World Championship. She had also presided over her first major final during the 2008 Masters at Wembley Arena, and the climax of the China Open earlier that year. The match at the Crucible was not as tight as it had been in previous years, with John Higgins dominating to take his third Championship by beating Shaun Murphy 18-9.
2007
Tabb continued on the snooker circuit and was given the chance to ref the final of the Welsh Open, the first woman to oversee a final of a ranking event. The match was an extremely tight affair between a young Neil Robertson and the unseeded Andrew Higginson, who had beaten some of the top players to get there. From the brink of defeat, the Aussie put on a late surge to beat Higginson. Both finalists were complimentary about Tabb and she gained more praise throughout the world of snooker.
2003
The following year Tabb refereed on snooker’s biggest stage – the World Championship in April. She officiated as Drew Henry beat Mark King 10-5 in the first round. Afterwards Michaela admitted she was very nervous as the MC introduced her but settled down after getting through the first frame and that it was a ‘brilliant experience’. Henry, who upset 11th seed King to take victory, said Tabb was great and hoped that she would referee a final one day.
“Best of luck in the future @MichaelaTabb top referee.”
The World number 1 and 2014 World Champion Mark Selby had some kind words just before he went on to win the China Open (@markjesterselby)
“Michaela you will be dearly missed hun x @MichaelaTabb #sad #ambassador #topcolleague #topperson”
Dutch ref Jan Verhaas was certainly sad to see her go (@janverhaas)
“I'm gutted that @MichaelaTabb has gone, what a great personality and a lovely young lady who has plenty of banter and a real gem. #diamond” World #33 Mark King paid tribute (@markking147)
Photo: Wikimedia Commons