SBC member Judith Packer selected to umpire in Paris

GBR umpires selected for Juries at 2024 Olympic, Paralympic and Qualification regattas

Four British World Rowing Umpires have been selected to serve at next summer’s Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, European Qualification Regatta and Final Qualification Regatta

Judith Packer has been selected as a member of the Jury (umpire team) for the Olympic Games Rowing regatta, which will be held at Vaires-sur-Marne near Paris from 27 July to 4 August 2024.

Judith first picked up an oar in 1983 at St Peter’s College, Oxford. Later, she joined Newark RC, and later Weybridge RC and Staines BC. Having discovered that she enjoyed volunteering at rowing competitions at least as much as racing in them, she qualified as an umpire in 2001, gained her multi-lane endorsement in 2004, and became a World Rowing umpire in 2009. Her extensive international umpiring experience includes the combined World Rowing Senior, U23 and Junior Championships in 2016, several World Cup regattas, and GB-France J16 matches of which the 2022 edition was at Vaires-sur-Marne. She was a National Technical Official at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and umpired the Women’s Boat Race in 2021.

Judith said, “It will be such a privilege and honour to represent GBR at the 2024 Paris Olympics as part of the 20-strong international Umpire Jury. Having worked with many others on the Jury at previous international regattas, I know we have an excellent team to facilitate safe and fair racing for the athletes. Excitement and anticipation are paired with gratitude for so many opportunities and people who have supported me over many years and thus enabled me to be in this position.”