Cricket Australia (CA) Contracted Umpire Panel member Roberto Howard has made his First-Class umpiring debut in the Sheffield Shield match between Tasmania and Western Australia at Bellerive Oval in Hobart.
Howard’s umpiring career began in the 2010-11 season in Sydney when he joined the Premier Panel and began officiating in the New South Wales Premier Cricket Competition. Howard served a thorough apprenticeship in Sydney Premier Cricket preparing him well for his men’s First Grade debut in the Round 6 match between Gordon and Sydney University at Chatswood Oval in the 2016-17 season.
The following year, Howard was appointed to the New South Wales State Umpire Panel for the first time. His umpiring career to date has included appointment to the Final of the Under 15, Under 17 and Under 19 Male National Championships, one of only two umpires to achieve this feat. Howard continues to serve New South Wales Premier Cricket with distinction, he brought up his 200-premier game milestone in 2023-24, and followed that milestone up with his 100th First-Grade match in the 2024-25 season.
Howard was elevated to Cricket Australia’s Contracted Umpire Panel for the first time prior to the 2024-25 season. He went on to make his on-field BBL debut last season in the match between the Melbourne Stars and the Sydney Thunder at Manuka Oval in Canberra. Last month Howard became just the 46th umpire from New South Wales to officiate in a List-A match. His List-A debut coming in the One Day Cup match between New South Wales and South Australia at Cricket Central in Sydney.
Howard became just the 88th umpire from New South Wales to officiate a First-Class match. His on-field colleague for the Sheffield Shield match in Hobart is fellow Cricket Australia Contracted Umpire Panel member Mike Graham-Smith. National Match Referee Panel member David Johnston is overseeing proceedings as the appointed match referee.