Shaun Murphy leads Vera Selby tributes after death of first women's world champion – 'A pioneer of women's snooker'
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ByEurosport
Updated 15/03/2023 at 09:58 GMT
Vera Selby MBE, the first women's world champion, has died at the age of 93. Selby twice claimed the sport's top prize in 1976 and 1981 and was an eight-time women's world billiards champion in the 1970s. She was also a respected coach, referee and commentator and earned an MBE for her services to the sport in 2016. Eurosport analyst Reanne Evans expressed her sadness at the news.
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Shaun Murphy, the 2005 world champion, has led the tributes to Vera Selby after the death of the first women's world snooker champion on Monday, the day of her 93rd birthday.
Born in the Yorkshire town of Richmond in 1930, Selby lifted her maiden world title in 1976 with a 4-0 victory against Muriel Hazeldine in Middlesbrough before emulating the feat five years later, courtesy of a 3-0 win against Mandy Fisher on the Isle of Wight.
She continued to play, coach, referee and commentate on the sport – including being part of the BBC team during Alex Higgins' famous run to the 1982 Crucible crown in Sheffield – after lifting the women's world billiard championship eight times between 1970-1978.
Vera, who lived in Newcastle and served as chairman of the North East Billiards and Snooker Association, was awarded an MBE for services to snooker in 2016.
"I didn’t get to meet Vera Selby, but she was one of the pioneers of women's snooker," said Murphy on Twitter. "And an early trail blazer for girls and women who followed. May she rest in peace."
Selby felt her biggest attribute was keeping cool under pressure.
“The calmer you keep, the more you can concentrate on the game," she said in an interview with The Northern Echo. "You just have to go in feeling you’re going to win.”
Eurosport analyst Reanne Evans, the 12-time women's world champion, expressed her sadness at the news.
“I’ve just been told that Vera Selby passed away last night age 93, so sad," said Evans. "I had the pleasure meeting Vera in Sheffield, doing a few interviews together. God bless, Vera.”
World Snooker Tour and the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, the sport's governing bodies, paid tribute to Vera's outstanding contribution to the green baize.
"WST and the WPBSA thank Vera for her tremendous contribution to our sport and send condolences to her friends and family," said a WST statement.
Leading referee and tournament director Paul Collier commented: "First worked with Vera Selby MBE at the 1992 qualifiers in Blackpool. Very nice lady and a good referee who understood and really loved snooker. RIP Vera, was a pleasure to know you."
Retired match official and four-time world final referee Eirian Williams said: "Vera also refereed professionally. Rest in Peace. Lovely lady."
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