Queensland Cricket has boosted its umpiring ranks for the coming season with national recognition backed by a expanded developmental focus.
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Current Cricket Australia Contracted Umpire Panel members Steve Dionysius and Donovan Koch are joined by Riki Wessels, who has been promoted on the back of his performances in both Cricket Australia competitions (WBBL, WNCL, Mens Second XI) and his appointment to the Final of the Under 19 Male National Championships in 24-25.
Wessels, the son of former Australian and South African Test great Kepler, successfully transitioned to umpiring after an extensive playing career in England, which saw him register 224 first class games, 179 List A matches and 237 T20 games for Worcestershire, Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire. The Australian-born 'keeper/batter also played in the BBL for the Sydney Sixers.
The 2024-25 Queensland State Umpire Panel of Benjamin Farrell, Michael Mellifont and Nathan James has been boosted in 2025-26 by the addition of Terry Pascoe, who has been promoted from the Development Umpire Panel courtesy of his strong showings at both Cricket Australia events and his consistent performance in Queensland Premier Cricket. The State panel, as well as CA Contracted Umpire Steve Dionysius, is pictured above at last night's meeting of State and Emerging Panel umpires.”
The Queensland Development Umpire Panel has now been renamed the Emerging Umpire Panel, with a focus on developing umpires with potential towards the State Panel and potential Cricket Australia opportunities in the future.
The 2025-26 season will see 10 members on the EUP – 6 returning and 4 new - reflecting the growing talent within Queensland Premier Cricket.
The returning EUP members are Elsie Bradford, Jack Clothier, Ryan Flack, Nick Marjason, Lachlan Nolan and Kylie White, whilst the new EUP members are Rob Hayter, Hamish Knowles, Jordan McManus and Naveen Vinod.
Queensland Cricket has also announced a new Female Development Umpire Panel alongside the other development projects this season.
Prompted by the rapid growth of women and girls playing cricket in Queensland, the new panel complements the focus of the ICC and Cricket Australia on developing female umpires and a female umpiring pathway.
In addition to Kylie White and Elsie Bradford’s inclusion on the Emerging Umpire Panel, the initial four female umpires on the QC Female Development Umpire Panel are Charlotte Atkinson, Melina Luther, Deepali Naik and Emily Titmarsh.