Q: There aren't many female refs in the game. What was the main reason for you wanting to join this male-dominated group (players included)?
The Boss

Michaela will be the first woman to referee the Masters final

I was headhunted by the chiefs of snooker in 2001 after they saw me officiating in pool. I was a huge fan of snooker and decided to take them up on their offer.

There was some controversy because it wasn't the traditional route to take. I was accepted in the male environment almost immediately, maybe it's because they knew I had good experience refereeing in pool.

Q: Were you a snooker fan beforehand, having come in from a pool background, and if so who was your favourite snooker player growing up?
WildJONESEYE

I was always a snooker fan. Our family used to sit down and watch the game and one person we looked forward to seeing in particular was Alex Higgins.

Q: What's your highest break?
Kriss_boy

I'm rubbish at snooker. I used to play pool for Scotland and go to the snooker halls to improve my game. So back to the question, my highest is only 22.

Q: How do you decide who refs the final of a major tournament?
Jameslfc147

The tournament director decides who referees the final. Instead of just one of the two senior referees on the circuit officiating the finals, they now choose from a group.

I'm delighted to get the opportunity to referee the Masters final even though I'm only part-time.

Q: If you have been awarded a free ball and nominate a colour as a red, can you play that colour onto a red and pot the red?
StarTopgolfer

Yes that's fine, as long as you hit the one you nominate first. And if both go down then that would be two points.

Q: How often do you actually play snooker yourself?
Sthendry

I would have to say I don't play it any more. In fact, I pick up a pool cue only about three times a year. When you've got two kids, one who is coming up to the age of two, then my time is no longer my own.

Q: Which match from the past would you have liked to have officiated?
Wilco01

I would not liked to have been in charge of a match featuring Alex Higgins because of his reputation with referees. I think a female referee coming through in his day would not have suited him.

On the other hand, now that I'm a strong character that would have been quite entertaining to see. I would love to have been in charge of any of snooker's classic matches.