Candace La Borde says it is an honour to represent Caribbean women in sport on the world stage. She was responding officially to her selection to the first all-women panel of match officials for the ICC Women’s 50-over World Cup which begins in Sri Lanka and India on September 30.
La Borde will be the first woman from Trinidad and Tobago, to umpire at a senior Women’s World Cup. She will join Jacqueline Williams from Jamaica as the West Indies representatives at the tournament. The regional team failed to qualify for the World Cup.
“Our appointments are a good example for women in the region,” La Borde said in a Cricket West Indies release. “Jackie” has been carrying the torch for the West Indies for several years, so to be able to follow in her footsteps, is an amazing feeling, proud moment for me and my career.”
CWI’s director of cricket, Miles Bascombe, hailed the announcement as an inspiring moment for Caribbean cricket.
“We are immensely proud of Candace and Jacqueline. Their selections reflect years of dedication, professionalism and passion for the game. To have two West Indian umpires on an all-female panel for a World Cup is a testament to the progress being made in creating opportunities for women in cricket, both on and off the field.”
“Jacqueline has long been a pioneer and role model in officiating, and we are delighted to see Candace following that path. They will inspire the next generation of women across the Caribbean who aspire to serve the game as officials at the highest level.”
Williams will be officiating at her third Women’s World Cup, joining Australian Claire Polosak and England’s Sue Redfern as the most experienced members of the panel. In 2022, Williams became the first female umpire from the West Indies to stand in a Men’s T20 International between two full member teams. While she took her first steps into umpiring in 2007, she admitted that she is just as excited today, as when she began her career.
“I think being selected for any world event is always a good feeling. This is my third, but I still get the same goosebumps I got when I was selected for the first. It’s the same amount of passion, excitement and enthusiasm.”
“Whenever I step out on the field, my aim is not just to perform for myself, but to remember there’s a possibility that whatever I do will have an impact especially on female umpires coming through, especially from the region. I want to represent well to ensure that I would create a pathway for other females to come through.”
