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Irish Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
World Snooker Championship final quits Crucible - and sends emotional message
Snooker refereeing legend Michaela Tabb said goodbye to the traditional form of the game at the Crucible Theatre after taking charge of her final match. The 57-year-old trailblazer retired after officiating part of the World Seniors Snooker Tour (WSST) final between Alfie Burden and Aaron Canavan last Sunday, closing the chapter on her influential career in the sport. Tabb holds the distinction of being the first woman to referee a world ranking tournament and further cemented her legacy by being the first female to oversee a World Championship final at the prestigious Crucible in 2009. Stepping aside after the first five frames of the WSST final, she handed over to Proletina Velichkova, signalling a move to embrace and support emerging female referees in snooker. Reflecting on her decision before the Sheffield final, Tabb said: "I'm excited to hang up my gloves if I'm being honest, for traditional snooker. I think I've done my time", reports Wales Online. "I'm getting to an age where it would be nice to watch other people doing that, especially after seeing another female coming up now and refereeing the final at the main World Championships. "It's been like 15 years that we've been waiting for that to sort of happen. So I'm happy now to let the young guns do it. "I will still work with Snooker Legends and I'll still do the 900 but for traditional snooker, my day will be finished. I feel emotional even just talking about it to be honest. "Honestly, it could make me cry, and I was so lucky to have two finals and so many other matches as well." Tabb, a trailblazer in the sport since her rapid rise after being fast-tracked onto the ranking circuit in 2002, and known for refereeing the 2009 and 2012 Crucible finals, stepped away from the World Snooker Tour (WST) in March 2015 after dedicating 14 years to the profession. Her sterling career as a referee has opened doors for other women in snooker. Desislava Bozhilova, aged 32, is one of the women inspired by Tabb, having recently refereed the World Snooker Championship final between Zhao Xintong and Mark Williams. After officiating her last competitive frame on Sunday, commentary veteran Dennis Taylor praised her impact: "She's been a wonderful referee and she's encouraged so many ladies to come forward. There's now up to 10 from around the world and it's all down to Michaela." Tatiana Woollaston, who took the reins at the 2024 UK Championship final, paid tribute to Tabb on social media, acknowledging the path she paved: "For all women, which now have an opportunity to get involved in the sport they love, there had to be THE FIRST and that was Michaela Tabb. "Inspiration, history maker and an amazing person! Thank you and enjoy the retirement!". Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email.
The Sun
13-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
‘It could make me cry' – History-making female referee retires from traditional snooker in emotional statement
SNOOKER referee Michaela Tabb has announced she is stepping away from the sport. The trailblazing ref, 57, made history as the first female to referee a World Championship final in 2009. 5 5 5 Tabb was on the baize for the World Seniors Snooker Tour final between Alfie Burden and Aaron Canavan on Sunday. She announced she would be retiring from refereeing following the contest. The Scot said: "I'm excited to hang up my gloves if I'm being honest, for traditional snooker. I think I've done my time. "I'm getting to an age where it would be nice to watch other people doing that, especially after seeing another female coming up now and refereeing the final at the main World Championships. 'It's been like 15 years that we've been waiting for that to sort of happen. "So I'm happy now to let the young guns do it." Tabb, 57, made history as the first female referee at a world ranking tournament. She made her debut back in 2002 after being fast-tracked by impressed snooker bosses. Tabb would go on to officiate the 2009 and 2012 Crucible finals. She left the World Snooker Tour in March 2015 after reaching a settlement with the WST. Emotional Zhao Xintong shares touching moment with rarely-seen girlfriend after World Snooker Championship triumph Tabb added: "I will still work with Snooker Legends and I'll still do the 900. "But for traditional snooker, my day will be finished. "I feel emotional even just talking about it to be honest. "Honestly, it could make me cry, and I was so lucky to have two finals and so many other matches as well." Tabb has been followed into snooker by Desislava Bozhilova, 32, who refereed the world final between Mark Williams and Zhao Xintong earlier this month. The Bulgarian is also a Landscape Architect as well as a master cake baker. Ahead of the final in Sheffield, Bozhilova said: "I don't know about other sports, but in snooker we are equal. 'It does not matter if you are a female or male ref. "If you are good enough and you do your job properly, you get your opportunities." 5 5
The Irish Sun
13-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘It could make me cry' – History-making female referee retires from traditional snooker in emotional statement
SNOOKER referee Michaela Tabb has announced she is stepping away from the sport. The trailblazing ref, 57, made history as the Advertisement 6 Michaela Tabb has announced she is leaving snooker refereeing behind Credit: Getty 6 The 57-year-old was the first woman to referee a world final at the Crucible Credit: Getty 6 Tabb took charge of two finals at the Crucible and left the WST in 2015 Credit: Getty Tabb was on the baize for the World Seniors Snooker Tour final between Alfie Burden and Aaron Canavan on Sunday. She announced she would be retiring from refereeing following the contest. The Scot said: "I'm excited to hang up my gloves if I'm being honest, for traditional snooker. I think I've done my time. "I'm getting to an age where it would be nice to watch other people doing that, especially after seeing another female coming up now and refereeing the final at the main World Championships. Advertisement READ MORE ON SNOOKER 'It's been like 15 years that we've been waiting for that to sort of happen. "So I'm happy now to let the young guns do it." Tabb, 57, made history as t he first female referee at a world ranking tournament . She made her debut back in 2002 after being fast-tracked by impressed snooker bosses. Advertisement Most read in Snooker BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Tabb would go on to officiate the 2009 and 2012 Crucible finals. She left the World Snooker Tour in March 2015 after reaching a settlement with the WST. Emotional Zhao Xintong shares touching moment with rarely-seen girlfriend after World Snooker Championship triumph Tabb added: "I will still work with Snooker Legends and I'll still do the 900. Advertisement "But for traditional snooker, my day will be finished. "I feel emotional even just talking about it to be honest. "Honestly, it could make me cry, and I was so lucky to have two finals and so many other matches as well." 6 Advertisement Tabb has been followed into snooker by The Bulgarian is Ahead of the final in Sheffield, Bozhilova said: "I don't know about other sports, but in snooker we are equal. 'It does not matter if you are a female or male ref. Advertisement "If you are good enough and you do your job properly, you get your opportunities." 6 Tabb began her journey refereeing pool tournaments Credit: Getty 6 Desislava Bozhilova, 32, took charge of this month's Crucible final Credit: Reuters
Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ronnie O'Sullivan's favourite ref shows true colours as snooker official retires
Michaela Tabb announced her retirement from traditional snooker earlier this week, with fellow female referee Tatiana Woollaston paying tribute by labelling her an "inspiration" Ronnie O'Sullivan's favourite referee, Tatiana Woollaston, has paid a heart-warming tribute to a legendary female official who recently retired from traditional snooker. Michaela Tabb, 57, bid farewell to the Crucible Theatre after overseeing the first five frames of the World Seniors Snooker Tour final between Alfie Burden and Aaron Canavan on Sunday. Tabb tore down barriers by becoming the first woman to referee at a world ranking tournament, before going on to be the first female to officiate a World Championship final at the Crucible in 2009. The Somerset-born Scot also took charge of the 2012 final, having been fast-tracked by the snooker authorities and made her debut on the ranking circuit back in 2002. She paved the way for a new generation of female referees in snooker, having cited the rise of younger officials as a reason for her being able to step back now. Tabb will continue to referee the Snooker Legends 900, but several prominent figures in the sport have paid tribute by talking about her significant impact in recent days. Among them is Woollaston, currently one of the top officials in the game. The Belarusian, who is married to Tour professional and recent World Championship participant Ben Woollaston, showed a great deal of respect towards Tabb and voiced her gratitude towards her 'inspiration' on social media. Woollaston wrote on X following Tabb's retirement announcement: 'For all women, which now have an opportunity to get involved in the sport they love, there had to be THE FIRST and that was Michaela Tabb. Inspiration, history maker and an amazing person! Thank you and enjoy the retirement!' Tabb had explained her decision to retire ahead of her final appearance in Sheffield, saying: 'I'm excited to hang up my gloves if I'm being honest, for traditional snooker. I think I've done my time. "I'm getting to an age where it would be nice to watch other people doing that, especially after seeing another female coming up now and refereeing the final at the main World Championships. "It's been like 15 years that we've been waiting for that to sort of happen. So I'm happy now to let the young guns do it. 'I will still work with Snooker Legends and I'll still do the 900 but for traditional snooker, my day will be finished. I feel emotional even just talking about it to be honest. Honestly, it could make me cry, and I was so lucky to have two finals and so many other matches as well.' At the opposite end of her career, Woollaston made her own Crucible debut at the Covid-affected 2020 tournament. The 38-year-old took charge of a single-table match at the iconic venue for the first time at the 2024 World Championship, overseeing the semi-final showdown between Kyren Wilson and David Gilbert. Last year, Tatiana refereed her first Triple Crown final, officiating the match between Judd Trump and Barry Hawkins at the UK Championship in York. The following day, the mother-of-two was back to her day job as a merchandiser for Next. Tatiana has earned a reputation as one of the top referees, with seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan even calling her the "best ref in the world by a mile". Her passion for the sport began at a young age while watching Russian language Eurosport with her father.
Wales Online
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Ronnie O'Sullivan's favourite ref comments as World Snooker Champs final ref retires
Ronnie O'Sullivan's favourite ref comments as World Snooker Champs final ref retires Top snooker referee Tatiana Woollaston was among those that praised Michaela Tabb's impact on the sport after the legendary official retired from the Crucible on Sunday Legendary snooker referee Michaela Tabb has retired from the traditional format (Image: Getty ) Ronnie O'Sullivan's favourite referee - Tatiana Woollaston - has paid tribute to a trailblazing female official who recently retired from traditional snooker. Michaela Tabb, 57, waved goodbye to the Crucible Theatre after officiating the first five frames of the World Seniors Snooker Tour final between Alfie Burden and Aaron Canavan on Sunday. Tabb made history by being the first woman to referee at a world ranking tournament, before becoming the first female to officiate a World Championship final at the Crucible in 2009. The Somerset-born Scot also officiated the 2012 final, having been fast-tracked by the snooker authorities and made her debut on the ranking circuit back in 2002. She paved the way for a new wave of female referees in snooker, highlighting the younger generation's rise as a reason for her being able to now step back. And while Tabb will still referee the Snooker Legends 900, several well-known figures across the game have spoken about her enormous influence in recent days. One such individual is Woollaston, now one of the top officials in the game. The Belarusian, who is the wife of Tour professional and recent World Championship participant Ben Woollaston, took to social media to voice her appreciation after Tabb's retirement announcement. Article continues below She wrote on X: 'For all women, which now have an opportunity to get involved in the sport they love, there had to be THE FIRST and that was Michaela Tabb. Inspiration, history maker and an amazing person! Thank you and enjoy the retirement!' Tabb had said before her last final in Sheffield: 'I'm excited to hang up my gloves if I'm being honest, for traditional snooker. I think I've done my time. "I'm getting to an age where it would be nice to watch other people doing that, especially after seeing another female coming up now and refereeing the final at the main World Championships. "It's been like 15 years that we've been waiting for that to sort of happen. So I'm happy now to let the young guns do it. 'I will still work with Snooker Legends and I'll still do the 900 but for traditional snooker, my day will be finished. I feel emotional even just talking about it to be honest. Honestly, it could make me cry, and I was so lucky to have two finals and so many other matches as well.' Tatiana Woollaston called Tabb an "inspiration" (Image: Richard Sellers/PA Wire ) Woollaston, meanwhile, made her own Crucible debut at the Covid-affected 2020 tournament. At the 2024 World Championship, the 38-year-old oversaw a single-table Crucible match for the first time - the semi-final between Kyren Wilson and David Gilbert. Earlier this season, she took charge of a Triple Crown final for the first time by officiating Judd Trump versus Barry Hawkins at the UK Championship in York. The mother-of-two followed up the milestone the next day by working her day job as a merchandiser for Next. Tatiana's own refereeing ability has made her a favourite of seven-time world champion O'Sullivan, who once labelled her the 'best ref in the world by a mile'. Article continues below The official fell in love with the sport as a youngster while watching Russian language Eurosport with her father.
