There’s a new umpire in town
AUCKLAND PARK – Receiving the umpiring qualification at 13 is one of her two biggest achievements in the sport so far.
Central Gauteng Lions recently awarded Auckland Park Preparatory School Grade 7 learner Amy Gear her level 1 umpiring qualification.
The certificate will enable her to be the youngest women to ever officiate club and friendly games and dive deeper into her passion for cricket. Being the youngest women to receive such a qualification, Amy has turned her attention to encourage girls like her to give their all in whatever they do so they can achieve their goals as well.
Amy said, “It’s important for women to come into the world of sports, not just cricket. There are many different things you can do in sport, you just have to find one that speaks to you.”
Having already cracked the provincial U13 cricket team, she now looks to mastering the rules of the game through umpiring.
Having started playing cricket in Grade 3, she has improved her skills and knowledge of the sport exponentially every year. Her first vivid memory of the sport was her very first wicket.
“I remember getting the ball from square leg and just the memory of seeing the bails fall off and the look on the batsman’s face was unforgettable.”
Considering the fact that at the time she was still playing with boys, she looks back at that wicket as a reminder that she is as capable as any boy to play cricket. “It’s at this point I realised that girls can do what guys can do in the sport.”
With this in the back of her mind coupled with hard work and dedication, she went on to achieving many more feats.”My proudest achievements so far is becoming the youngest women to receive an umpiring qualification at my club and getting into the Gauteng U13 team.
“They are also the coolest experiences I have had yet but I look forward to many more.” This includes her goals of eventually running onto the field for the national cricket team or umpiring Test cricket.
Amy would like to encourage girls and women of all ages to stay committed to their goals. “Don’t let gender stop you from trying to achieve our dreams. There’s still a lot of opportunity out there for us, not just in sport.”
To those who are making it difficult for women to achieve, Amy had one thing to say, “Watch out, we are coming and there’s nothing anyone can do to stop us.”
