As the storied international umpiring career of New Zealand’s Kathy Cross came to a close in March, another Kiwi female umpire is just beginning to scratch the surface.
Christchurch’s Kim Cotton, who works as a solicitor in a small firm in Rangiora, made her international debut out in the middle during the WHITE FERNS one-run win over the West Indies in the third T20 international at Pukekura Park.
Cotton’s been working her way up the ranks to this point, umpiring a couple of seasons in the women’s domestic 50-over and T20 competition as well as games in the men’s domestic Under 19s and Under 17s and the Hawke Cup.
“It was a sport I played every summer, but I got to the stage where I wasn’t playing as much and I thought of how I could stay involved,” Cotton said.
“I enjoyed player-umpiring so I decided to become an umpire full-time as it was the next best thing. Everybody says it, but it is the best seat in the house.”
Cotton said working alongside Cross had helped her become a better umpire.
“Once I started umpiring I heard of Kathy and got to meet her and umpire with her and she’s been a really good person to know.
“She’s very supportive, a very calm person and always happy to help out and share her pearls of wisdom,” Cotton said.
While Cotton would like to forge a similar path to Cross, she’s just happy to take every day as it comes and enjoy being involved in a sport she’s passionate about.
“I don’t know whether that’s possible or not [making it a full-time career] but I wouldn’t say no.
I definitely enjoy it, but it would be something I’d have to think about if it became an option. I definitely want to umpire more games that’s for sure.”
Watch this space.
