Michaela Tabb became the first female ever to officiate a world snooker final before while also going on to launch her booming business, find out more about her below and where is she now
Tabb will be making a return to The Crucible to referee the 2023 Seniors tournament.
Who is Michaela Tabb snooker referee, where is she now and partner
20 years ago today, I was the first lady to referee a World Championships match. I remember it so clearly, a match with so many memories for obvious reasons. I remember Alan Hughes introducing me and saying we were making history, no pressure with those stairs then! #girlpower pic.twitter.com/ec8JH30Dwi
— Michaela Tabb (@MichaelaTabb) April 19, 2023
#OnThisDay in 2009 Michaela Tabb @MichaelaTabb became the First Female to ref a World Championship Final it was between John Higgins and Shaun Murphy
She took charge again in 2012 this time between Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ali Carter , still the only women to ref a final#Snooker pic.twitter.com/Y8Nmnt22eh— Phil Mudd (@MuddPhil) May 4, 2023
Previously, Tabb oversaw the World Snooker Championship final in 2009 and also the event again in 2012.
Michaela Tabb snooker referee
Michaela Tabb is a snooker referee who was the first female referee to oversee the World Snooker Championship final in 2009 and also the same event again in 2012. Despite her success in snooker, Tabb quit the sports’ major events in 2015 following a legal dispute with World Snooker. The issue was later settled amicably between the two parties.
A successful business owner
Despite leaving the sport, Michaela used her connections and knowledge of snooker to start a business/company, called Blackball Tables. The company sells pool and snooker tables, as well as other vital accessories to players. While speaking about her business Tabb explained:
We sell snooker and pool accessories so it all merges into one a bit. I’m down here selling snooker balls to a player, not while I’m in a match! But it’s who we are, that’s why we love it.”
Over a four-year period, her business expanded t huge heights and now sells tables ranging from £1,395 and £1,595. Back in 2022, her company was projected to earn over £1million. Tabb was expectedly overwhelmed by the figures and admitted:
I’m immensely proud. The numbers scare me. We sat down and worked out a turnover target of £800,000. I looked at it and didn’t understand why we had that as a target.
Michaela Tabb career highlights
Michaela Tabb has always had a soft spot for the sport and began officiating as a 23-year-old. Her first competition was the blackball in 1991, before eventually progressing to pool and then transitioning to snooker. Despite shifting to running a business, Tabb has always kept in touch with snooker greats including Jimmy White, Ken Doherty, and Ronnie O’Sullivan.
She has made several cameo ref appearances at Snooker Legends and added:
I stopped the professional tour in 2015, but I’ve always reffed for Snooker Legends since 2010. I do the Seniors Tour and a lot of exhibitions with Jimmy [White], Ken [Doherty and Ronnie [O’Sullivan]. They’re fun nights. I’ve kept my hand in and I can make it work around my job.”
Ahead of the the 2023 World Seniors Snooker Championship, Tabb is taking a break from her business. Tabb officiated over Alfie Burden’s 3-0 victory over Ken Doherty recently on Thursday.
Tabb resides in Dunfermline, Scotland, with her husband, pool player Ross McInnes and they have two sons, Morgan and Preston, both of whom play competitive pool. Morgan McInnes has played in Scotland’s under-23 A team at the European Pool Championships.
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