Making A Mark

Tanya Vekker of Ukraine and Bulgarian Proletina Velichkova have been working as markers at the Wyldecrest Parks Players Championship Grand Final in Preston.

By Huw Pearson

They are both gaining experience of working on the professional circuit with the ambition to become referees on the World Snooker Tour.

“It’s really nice to be able to just absorb and analyse the game,” said Tanya (pic left). “I started refereeing ten years ago in Ukraine. I kept moving up and now I am a class one referee. I’m also a player and a coach.

“When I started refereeing in Ukraine, snooker had just arrived. I saw players didn’t know the rules, and I had to explain what a free-ball or a snooker was to them. Now people are learning more about the sport.”

World Snooker Tournament Director Mike Ganley said: “Snooker is growing throughout Europe and we are keen to encourage referees who want to learn and make progress. Once they have refereed at the European Tour events, the next step is to work at the main ranking events and learn about the different disciplines involved.”