SNOOKER: Sinclair to make refereeing history in Thailand

SHANE HURNDELL
Hawke's Bay snooker referee Jill Sinclair will create history when she steps up for duty at this month's world championships in Thailand.
The Napier Cosmopolitan Club player will become the first Kiwi female referee and the first Oceania one to control games at an overseas world championship. But don't expect any nervousness from Sinclair, who will celebrate her 36th birthday during the 184-player November 11-25 tournament in Khorat.
After all, Sinclair has learnt from the best in Waipukurau's Lloyd Lawrence, who retired earlier this year after 23 years of travelling the world as an international billiards and snooker referee.
"I remember Lloyd saying 'that's my girl' as he watched me referee the final of the New Zealand Open earlier this year," said Sinclair, who will join Bay of Plenty's Bill Friend as the Kiwi contingent in the 36-strong referee squad at the champs.
"I'm quite proud of Jill and I taught her everything here in Hawke's Bay," said Lawrence.
Another of his "students," former Hawke's Bay player Charlie Apiata, was the first Kiwi female to referee at a world championship when New Plymouth hosted the 1996 tournament.
"I'm rapt as this is my first year as a class two international referee. I did the Oceania Champs in Brisbane back in April and I thought that was big enough for this year," said Sinclair.
The 2003 New Zealand Women's Silver Cueists team member refereed the Oceania women's final, which was won by Auckland-based former Napier Cosmopolitan Club player Ramona Belmont, who will be among the six Kiwi players in Thailand. The others are Bay of Plenty's Alistair Davidson, Aucklanders Dene O'Kane, Henry Killian and Chris McBreen and Canterbury's Gary Gillard.
Although refereeing is now Sinclair's major focus she still plays "socially" on the New Zealand Masters circuit and this weekend will be among 64 starters in the annual Taupo Masters tournament.
Sinclair has been Auckland-based for the past three-and-a-half years where she works as a senior claims manager for Workaon. She remains a member of the Napier Cosmopolitan Club as well as the Titirangi RSA, where she is the C grade champion.
"I decided to give refereeing a crack when I realised I was never going to get to the worlds as a player. As a referee you get better looked after than the players, who have to pay for everything," she said.
However Sinclair is still on the hunt for sponsorship towards her contribution of $2000 for the trip. "If anyone can assist with anything it will be much appreciated," she said.