TABLE TENNIS - Rugby-based umpire Jo Outhwaite to officiate at Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games - The Rugby Observer

TABLE TENNIS - Rugby-based umpire Jo Outhwaite to officiate at Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

Rugby Editorial 25th Jun, 2022 Updated: 19th Jul, 2022   0

RUGBY’s Jo Outhwaite is relishing the chance to officiate at a home Commonwealth Games after being selected as an umpire for the table tennis and para table tennis events in Birmingham this summer.

The experienced umpire will be one of 18 English and 18 international officials working under the direction of English referee Karen Tonge OBE at the Birmingham 2022 Games, which begin on Thursday, July 28.

Outhwaite, who has been umpiring for about a decade, said: “I started at county level about 10 years ago and then decided to do the national umpire qualification.

“I didn’t realise I’d be at a level ready to do the Commonwealth Games – it wasn’t really on my radar.




“But I was encouraged to do the international exam as well and the Games became my main focus.”

Outhwaite was presented with her International Umpire badge at the Mark Bates Ltd National Championships earlier this year.


She has also officiated in a number of semi-finals and finals involving England’s top players.

Outhwaite will not be allowed to take charge of England matches at the Games but is still looking forward to the experience.

Outhwaite added: “It’s really exciting to have the opportunity to do such a big event.

“It’s mixed feelings that it’s so close to home, because it would have been an adventure to go somewhere else, but it’s great to be in a home venue with a home crowd.”

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