Snooker referees pay: how much does a World Snooker Championship referee get paid - and how to become one

While the likes of Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Selby are the stars of snooker and are at the front and centre of the World Snooker Championship at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre, the referees are often the sport's unsung heroes. Making sure everything is going by the book and keeping order by ensuring players abide by all the rules.

Referees not only demand professionalism but exude it, both at amateur and professional level, adorned in smart suits and their hands wrapped in soft white gloves. They can be seen over the course of a game dashing around the table, placing the coloured balls pack in their rightful places and calling out the scores and any fouls.

Snooker refs are definitely not afraid to get their hands dirty either if Olivier Marteel is anything to go by - the Belgian official famously halted a Just Stop Oil protester from climbing onto the table and covering it in orange powder earlier at this year's World Championship.

Here is everything you need to know about snooker referees. This includes a list of the referees working at the World Snooker Championship 2023, as well as how much they are paid and how you can become one.

List of officials at World Snooker Championship 2023

• Brendan Moore
• Paul Collier
• Olivier Marteel
• Jan Verhaas
• Marcel Eckardt
• Tatiana Woollaston
• Rob Spencer
• Desislava Bozhilova
• Leo Scullion
• Ben Williams

How much does a referee at the World Snooker Championship get paid?

Much like most professions, the level of pay that snooker referees receive depend on the level of competition they officiate. It also varies on whether they are entry-level or professional referees.

Amateur and entry-level snooker officials can normally expect to receive a pay packet of between £35 and £70 per match. While a World Snooker professional referee earns a base salary of £20,750 every season, according to reports.

How to become a snooker referee

Are you a huge fan of snooker, while also being incredibly knowledgeable of the sport, and you want to become a referee? Follow the below advice:

• Find out what your National Governing Body (NGB) is in order to contact them and ask for the procedures to follow
• The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) say you should spend at least two years refereeing at local level before moving up to your local NGB
• Once you feel that you're ready, register your interest via the WPBSA website where you can fill in an online contact form
• If you meet the eligibility criteria, such as passing a criminal records check, you will undertake the WPBSA Class 3 Referee course, which is delivered online - a part of the final assessment involves refereeing at a WPBSA recognised event or competition