Kelly Thomson becomes Gold Badge Chair Umpire
Britain’s Kelly Thomson has been promoted to the status of Gold Badge Chair Umpire – the highest level of certification for on-court officials.
Thomson becomes one of only 35 chair umpires across the world to attain the Gold Badge under the Joint Certification Programme (ATP, WTA, ITF and Grand Slams), and the 13th active female Gold Badge chair umpire.
Thomson, who described the promotion as an “privilege and an honour”, joins an elite group of Gold Badge chair umpires from Britain, alongside Alison Hughes, James Keothavong and Richard Haigh.
“It feels particularly special [to achieve the Gold Badge] as a woman where there hasn’t been as many throughout history,” Thomson told the LTA. “I’m stepping into big shoes in terms of British women who have achieved the Gold Badge. We have had Alison Hughes MBE who has umpired so many Grand Slam finals and before that, Jane Harvey who started a path for female officials in the chair.
“The goal now for me is to umpire a Grand Slam singles final – that’s always the aim with a Gold Badge. I have done it before with a Wimbledon doubles final, so let’s see!”