Central Districts will be represented in NZC's Aspiring Female Umpire Programme for the first time this season after ESTHER STEER, REGAN COMBE and MICHELLE McKAY were all named in the 2024/25 intake.

All three are familiar names around our CD traps, and are among five new faces in a cohort of 14 for the coming season - along with Auckland's Stephanie Carr and Wellington's Marie Fisher.

They join four returning umpires for the fourth annual edition of the programme that seeks to grow the numbers of female cricket umpires in New Zealand, and, provide a meaningful development pathway.

One of the NZC programme’s success stories, Canterbury's Alyson Shipley, returns as a mentor this season, having been part of the programme since 2021/22 and progressing to NZC Domestic umpire appointments.

From left, umpire Kim Cotton, match referee Sue Morris & umpire Eloise Sheridan control a Dream11 Super Smash fixture in Queenstown | PHOTOSPORT

Shipley will combine with Kim Cotton, Christelle High, Tina Semmens and Sue Morris to form an experienced group of mentors, aiming to share their key lessons from officiating at the top level of cricket.

As one of our regional umpires, Combe brings plenty of lived experience to this programme herself.

Vice President of CD's Umpiring and Scoring Board, since having starting out in Wairarapa (before shifting to Manawatū, and now Hawke's Bay) Combe has stood in eight Hallyburton Johnstone Shield matches around the country, as well as officiating in a number of NZC national tournaments at assorted levels, and acting as a reserve umpire at other Domestic matches.

Steer meanwhile emerged as a player through Palmerston North Girls' High, and has represented Manawatū Cricket at age-group level in recent summers. She's in her first year as a young umpire and the NZC programme offers her an exciting opportunity to now grow alongside a peer group of like-minded women - and, be mentored by other women umpires.

Michelle Mckay is a former Central Hind | PHOTOSPORT

CENTRAL HINDS fans will quickly recognise the third of the CD trio: Michelle McKay has a 109-match NZC Domestic playing career to her name.

McKay started out with Wellington, playing for the Blaze from 2009/10 to 2013/14 before switching to the green and gaining 27 one-day and 15 T20 caps for the Hinds before her 2017 retirement.

Now based in Hawke's Bay with a young family, the call to past players to consider umpiring and apply for the Aspiring Female Umpire Programme presented the perfect opportunity to get back involved in the sport that's always been close to her heart.

NZC says an exciting feature of this season’s programme is a new element connecting female umpires at the grassroots level.

Programme members will collaborate with Major Associations to deliver upskilling opportunities to secondary schoolgirls and female club players.

CD's Regan Combe (right) will be involved in the programme as an experienced regional umpire

These sessions will be delivered throughout Association programmes and initiatives as an opportunity for young wāhine to rub shoulders with some of the best female umpires in New Zealand.

NZC Community Umpire Manager Eugene Sanders said he was particularly excited about the upcoming season.

“We're very excited to welcome five new umpires to the programme this season,” he said.

“Word of mouth across New Zealand is telling the story of the [AFU] programme and its value to umpires, and it’s heartening to see new female umpires wanting to begin their own journey.

“A major addition this season is also the opportunity to build depth through delivering education and mentoring opportunities for secondary school girls and female club players,

“We look forward to seeing female umpires continue to grow through this programme and reach new heights in their umpiring careers.”

The 2024/25 programme fomally begins on Tuesday, 13 August with an online connect.

Aspiring Female Umpire Programme Cohort 2024/25

Amruta Bhosale

Stephanie Carr

Regan Combe

Marise Fernandes

Marie Fisher

Michelle McKay

Leteisha Rose

Esther Steer

Moth Sutherland-Tupp

AFUP Mentors 2024/25

Kim Cotton

Christelle High

Sue Morris

Tina Semmens

Alyson Shipley

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Article added: Tuesday 23 July 2024