In a historic stride forward for women in cricket, Sue Redfern is set to make waves once again, taking her place as the first female umpire to preside over a men’s first-class match in England and Wales.
This monumental occasion is slated for next week, when Redfern steps onto the field to officiate the LV= Insurance County Championship clash between Glamorgan and Derbyshire at the esteemed Sophia Gardens, commencing on Tuesday, 26 September.
A formidable presence in English cricket, Redfern boasts a stellar record of 21 international caps for England between 1995 and 1999. Since then, she has become an emblem of progress for female umpires, blazing a trail through the sport’s traditional boundaries.
Returning to Cardiff, where she etched her name into the annals of history two years prior, Redfern stood tall as the inaugural female umpire to officiate a home England Men’s match. In the electric atmosphere of the Vitality IT20 encounter against Sri Lanka, she stood as the fourth official, poised and unyielding.
This summer, Redfern etched another milestone into her remarkable career. She took charge of a Vitality Blast match, becoming the first female umpire to do so, overseeing the clash between Gloucestershire and Middlesex at the iconic Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol.
Redfern’s resume gleams with experience from six major global tournaments, including the prestigious 2022 Commonwealth Games. Additionally, she’s held the reins at three ICC Women’s T20 World Cups and two ICC Women’s World Cups, proving her mettle on the grandest of stages.
In a ground-breaking move, Redfern became the inaugural female umpire to secure a full-time professional contract at the advent of last summer. Her appointment to the ECB’s freshly minted Professional Umpires’ Team marked a monumental shift in the cricketing landscape.
In her own words, Redfern stated, “I have worked hard to earn this opportunity and I look forward to taking the next step in my career by umpiring a men’s first-class match. That has been an ambition of mine for a long time and, while it is a new challenge that will test me, I know that I am ready for it.”
“Umpiring has become such a fulfilling part of my life and while my focus is on being the best umpire I can be, I hope my journey can also be an inspiration to others. When I started umpiring I had to balance other work commitments with my umpiring, but it is now a career I can solely focus on. I am proud of the steps I have taken and that I am proving that opportunities now exist in umpiring for anyone if they’re willing to work hard and dedicate themselves.”
Sue Redfern stands as a testament to dedication, breaking barriers and proving that no realm of cricket is off limits for those who are willing to put in the effort. Her journey is a beacon of inspiration for aspirants, a resounding message that the sky is the limit. As she strides onto the field next week, history will be written in the ink of her resolve and passion.
Photo 1 Caption: Sue Redfern is set to make waves once again, taking her place as the first female umpire to preside over a men’s first-class match in England and Wales. Photo: ECB website
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