Just days after presiding over one of snooker's most prestigious finals, top official Tatiana Woollaston was back at her regular day job on the shop floor. The elite referee, who took charge of Judd Trump's 2024 UK Championship title victory, maintains a decade-long career with high street retailer Next, seamlessly transitioning from the pressure of the baize to the demands of retail.
Juggling the Crucible and the Checkout
Tatiana Woollaston, 38, refereed her first major final at the York Barbican last year, a significant milestone in her officiating career. Despite reaching the pinnacle of her snooker profession, the Belarus-born, Leicester-based official has no plans to leave her post at Next, where she has worked for over ten years. The company has shown immense support for her sporting pursuits, granting her the necessary time off to officiate at tournaments like the World Championship at the Crucible.
"I've been with the company for over 10 years now," Woollaston told Eurosport. "They're really excited about me refereeing and really supportive. They let me have the time off, but I'll be back at my desk tomorrow." This unique dual career highlights a different side to the glamorous world of professional sports.
A Family Affair with Snooker
Woollaston's life is a masterclass in balance, extending beyond her dual careers to her roles as a mother and wife. She and her husband, professional snooker player Ben Woollaston, have developed a system to manage their family and demanding travel schedules. They deliberately keep their professional lives separate to avoid any conflict of interest.
"I don't spend time with Ben while he's practising to help me refereeing-wise," she revealed. "He's on the circuit as a player. I'm on the circuit as a referee. We've never really mixed that. I'm obviously not allowed to referee his games, and I wouldn't want to, to be fair." When one is away at a tournament, the other takes over school pick-ups and homework, with Ben's mother also playing a crucial supporting role.
Her two young boys were in the audience to support her at the final, though she admits they are "not too much into snooker." For Woollaston, being a mum is her "third job," and one she prioritises just as highly as her others.
Acclaim from the Sport's Elite
Woollaston's skills in the arena have not gone unnoticed. Her abilities have earned high praise from snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan, a seven-time world champion. During the last World Championship, O'Sullivan did not hold back his admiration, stating, "[She's the] best ref in the world by a mile."
Fellow snooker star Reanne Evans echoed this sentiment, affirming Woollaston's top-class status. "She's a top ref," Evans said. "I really rate her, she's a great girl as well. She deserves the final. She's top class and I hope she does get the final next year." This recognition from within the sport's inner circle underscores the respect she has built through her professionalism and dedication.
As the UK Championship kicks off once again, Tatiana Woollaston stands as a remarkable figure in the sport—a world-class official whose world extends far beyond the green felt, proving that passion and duty can successfully coexist.
