Kalala Tanuvasa’s journey began back in 2016 when with her church's cricket program and fast forward almost seven years she has become one of two certified Samoan cricket umpires who were selected to officiate the East Asia Pacific T-20 Women’s qualifier for the World Cup.

You do not get to see many women umpires in the Pacific and Ms. Tanuvasa could be considered a pioneer. Now her eyes are set on the T20 World Cup for women.

She recalled the first time she officially played the sport in 2017 and from there she joined a local cricket club where her love for the sport grew stronger. Around this time she became a part of the umpire training that was going on at the time by the head umpire Amituanai Tavita Sasi.

“There are three tournaments that the association holds every year, the Apia men’s and women’s league, the Independence Cup and the Teuila Festival Cup. I got the experience to umpire during these events in 2018.” she said.

The following year was the 2019 Pacific Games and she was able to participate and further develop her knowledge and skill in the sport.

“After the Pacific Games, I got to apply to the Samoa Cricket Association as a development officer and I got the job,” she said.

“Now that I worked for the association I could no longer represent the country as an athlete and so I had to change my whole mentality into one where I can help the younger generation become better athletes through my role as a development officer and an umpire.

“This year I got the opportunity to be Samoa’s representative as an umpire to the East Asia Pacific T-20 Women’s Qualifier."

This is a big achievement not only for herself but for Samoa to have one of their own umpires be a part of such a prestigious sports event.

“It was a valuable experience, learning from other officials and also refreshing our knowledge on the playing conditions, code of conduct on and off field,” she said.

There will be a training in New Zealand, for the T20 World Cup and she will be representing Samoa as an umpire.