Cricket umpire Claire Polosak has officiated on the state, national and international stage but will be back at the grass roots level to get the next crop of umpires involved later this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Polosak will lead the Cricket Australia Community Officiating course in Tamworth on December 20.
The course costs $40 for males and is free for females.
Polosak said the fee structure was to encourage females to get involved.
“There’s not the awareness females can be umpires. Even if you look at local junior cricket, dads are usually on the field and mums are doing the scoring,” Polosak said.
“We’re working to get more females involved. CA [Cricket Australia] are pushing it.
“There’s a pathway and a career opportunity for females to be umpires.”
Polosak is one woman who has thrived in the umpiring world.
Not only is Polosak Cricket NSW's female umpire engagement officer, she was the first woman to umpire an Australian men's List A cricket match in the domestic one-day cup competition and has also officiated women’s international matches.
She can’t speak highly enough of her role on the field.
“If you love cricket, it is the best place to watch from. It might sound like a cliche but it’s true,” she said.
“The skills are transferable, too. You learn communication, conflict resolution and decision making skills. It sets you in good stead for uni, school and working life.”
Anyone looking for more information on the umpiring course can contact Polosak at Claire.Polosak@cricketnsw.com.au.
