Michaela Tabb: First Woman World Snooker Final Referee

Michaela Tabb is a Scottish former professional snooker and pool referee. She was born on 11 December 1967 in Bath, England. She moved to Scotland during early childhood. Her officiating career spanned more than two decades.

She worked at the highest levels of snooker and pool. Tabb became a central figure in professional cue sports officiating. Her authority reshaped perceptions of referees in elite competition.

Who Is Michaela Tabb

Michaela Tabb is a Scottish former professional snooker and pool referee. She was born on 11 December 1967 in Bath, England. She moved to Scotland during early childhood. Her officiating career spanned more than two decades. She worked at the highest levels of snooker and pool. Tabb became a central figure in professional cue sports officiating. Her authority reshaped perceptions of referees in elite competition.

Early Career in Pool and Entry Into Officiating

Michaela Tabb began her cue sports journey as a competitive pool player. She competed in women’s blackball pool during the 1990s. Tabb represented the Scottish Ladies’ Pool Team internationally. She later captained the team to multiple major titles.

Her playing experience shaped strong rule awareness and table discipline. She began refereeing amateur pool events in the mid-1990s. Early officiating involved eight-ball and nine-ball tournaments. This transition marked the foundation of her professional refereeing career.

Entry Into Professional Snooker Refereeing

Michaela Tabb entered professional snooker officiating in 2001. She qualified as a World Snooker Tour referee that year. Her recruitment aimed to modernize snooker’s traditional referee profile. She bypassed the standard apprenticeship pathway.

This fast progression generated internal scrutiny among officials. Her first ranking tournament appearance came in 2002. The event was the Welsh Open in Newport. This debut marked a historic breakthrough for women referees.

Ranking Events and Triple Crown Progression

Michaela Tabb achieved multiple ranking-event refereeing milestones. She became the first woman to referee a ranking tournament match. This occurred at the 2002 Welsh Open. She later refereed her first ranking event final in 2007. The final was the Welsh Open decider.

Her performance established credibility at elite competitive levels. She progressed into Triple Crown event appointments soon after. These events demand the highest officiating standards.

World Snooker Championship Finals

Michaela Tabb refereed her first World Championship final in 2009. The final took place at the Crucible Theatre. She became the first woman to referee a world final. Tabb returned to referee the World Championship final again in 2012.

Both finals were contested under intense global media attention. Her performances demonstrated authority, precision, and composure. She remained the only female world final referee for over a decade.

Career Peak and Industry Profile

Michaela Tabb became snooker’s highest-profile female referee. Her presence reshaped the public image of professional officiating. Broadcasters valued her authority and clear on-table communication. Players respected her consistent rule enforcement under pressure.

She officiated major ranking and invitation finals regularly. Her profile extended across snooker and professional pool circuits. This period represented the peak of her refereeing influence.

Departure From Professional Snooker

Michaela Tabb left the professional snooker tour in 2015. Her departure followed a dispute with World Snooker Ltd. She filed claims alleging discrimination, unfair dismissal, and contract breach. The dispute concluded through an out-of-court settlement. Financial terms of the settlement were not publicly disclosed. This exit ended her involvement with the main professional snooker circuit.

World Seniors Tour and Final Retirement

Michaela Tabb continued refereeing on the World Seniors Tour. She officiated multiple World Seniors Championship finals. These appearances occurred between 2019 and 2025. Her final professional assignment came in May 2025. The event was the World Seniors Championship final. She retired after completing the opening session. This decision concluded a 24-year officiating career.

Business Career – On Cue World

Michaela Tabb transitioned into cue sports business operations. She co-founded Blackball Tables with her husband, Ross McInnes. The business specialized in pool and snooker tables. Operations later rebranded as On Cue World.

On Cue World supplies tables and accessories. Her son, Morgan McInnes, is also involved. The business operates from a physical store in Rosyth. This venture maintains her professional connection to cue sports.

Personal Life and Education

Michaela Tabb studied science subjects at the University of Glasgow. Her studies included chemistry, biology, and psychology. She left university before completing a degree. Before refereeing, she worked as a sales representative.

Her roles included positions with major commercial brands. She lives in Dunfermline, Scotland, with her family.
Her husband is former pool player Ross McInnes. They have two sons involved in competitive pool.

Legacy and Impact on Women in Snooker

Michaela Tabb established foundational milestones for women referees. She was the first woman to referee ranking and world finals. Her success challenged traditional officiating selection norms. Her visibility expanded institutional acceptance of female referees. Modern officiating includes significantly more women officials. Her legacy directly influenced referees like Desislava Bozhilova. She reshaped long-term gender representation in professional snooker.

Conclusion

Michaela Tabb transformed professional snooker officiating permanently. She established historic firsts across ranking and world championship finals. Her authority set modern expectations for elite refereeing standards. Her career influenced institutional change within professional cue sports. Modern female referees build directly upon her achievements. Her legacy remains foundational within snooker history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was the first woman to referee a World Snooker Championship final?

Michaela Tabb was the first woman to referee a World Championship final.

How many World Snooker Championship finals did Michaela Tabb referee?

She refereed two world finals, in 2009 and 2012.

Why did Michaela Tabb leave professional snooker?

She left following a dispute with World Snooker Ltd in 2015.

What did Michaela Tabb do after retiring from refereeing?

She became a cue sports business owner with On Cue World.

Who followed Michaela Tabb as a world final referee?

Desislava Bozhilova became the second woman in 2025.

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