POLOSAK SET TO CREATE HISTORY AS FEMALE UMPIRE IN AUSTRALIA

Polosak set to create history as female umpire in Australia

by Cricbuzz Staff • Published on

Polosak will stand for the match between New South Wales and Australia XI on Sunday © Getty

New South Wales umpire Claire Polosak is set to become the first female umpire to officiate in an Australian men's domestic game during the ongoing JLT One-Day Cup.

The 29-year old will stand for the match between New South Wales and Australia XI on Sunday (October 8). In the process, she will join a pretty small club of women to umpire at the men's first-class level - a club which consists Kathy Cross from New Zealand, Jacqueline Williams from West Indies, and Sue Redmond from England.

"I never played cricket, which is a little bit interesting for some people," Polosak said in Sydney. "I always followed cricket, my parents got me into it and dad would drive me up from Goulburn to do the umpires course here."

"To be entrusted with this opportunity is humbling. With my role at Cricket New South Wales working in female umpire engagement, I realise what I do can be incredibly important for other women.

"We need to see more female umpires officiating at all levels of the game, as this allows others to see there is a path to follow. Hopefully other female umpires will realise that umpiring cricket at the elite level is a real possibility and that they can be involved," she noted.

Still young as far as umpiring age goes, Polosak already has some impressive highlights in her career, having played a role in the ICC Women's World T20 2016, and even in the recently concluded ICC Women's World Cup 2017.

Cricket Australia CEO congratulated Polosak for a feat which was well deserved. "Claire's achievements in such a short period of time at the elite level have been remarkable," James Sutherland noted. "In the space of less than three seasons, she has established herself as one of Australia's leading umpires, impressing at domestic level and earning recognition with appointments to international matches and major tournaments such as the 2017 ICC Women's World Cup.

"We wish Claire all the best for this match, and hope it is a success for her, and helps pave the way for more female umpires to officiate in men's matches at the highest level," he said.

© Cricbuzz

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