March 2010 Umpire Newsletter No 4

WOMEN IN UMPIRING

One International woman amongst a male dominated International umpire world

Christiane Gle is the only woman qualified as an International Umpire

-          President of the League (Alsace) in France

-          International umpire since 2004

-          Umpire at  the 2004 and 2006 World Championships

We have in Australia a number of women qualified as umpires, 7 women out of our 30 umpires or 23% only.

-          Monique Thibault is our only woman “National Umpire and State director of umpiring in NSW.”

Christiane Gle as an umpire has found that she receives the same respect from players and committee members alike, she indicates that she is very proud as a woman to umpire in her league, Nationally or Internationally.

She feels that in umpiring at least woman are the equal of their male counterpart and she would love to see more women getting involved in umpiring and in all aspect of Petanque administration.

Australia is one of the Petanque countries where the number of licensed women is very high, Australia is regularly given as an example by the FIPJP for this fact.

Umpires need to be protected and respected by their National Federation and all committee members alike so to allow all players to enjoy the game in a friendly and safe atmosphere and in total respect of rules and regulations.

Hopefully we will see in the coming years a change in the approach in Australia with more women getting involved as National or State committee members, coaches or umpires.

This would create a better and friendlier environment for our game.