Canberra Umpire Margaret Marshall's Unstoppable Drive Through Cancer and Cricket
Margaret Marshall has always embraced the formidable challenges of cricket, whether she was bowling, batting, or officiating as an umpire. So determined was the 51-year-old to test her skills at the highest level that she spent several summers driving from Canberra to Sydney on Friday nights, sleeping in her car over weekends just to umpire at the best standard possible. Her greatest challenge, however, has unfolded away from the cricket pitch. Last year, Marshall was diagnosed with stage-four breast cancer, but in typical fashion, she has fought determinedly to overcome it, reaching a point where there is no longer any sign of active disease.
"I've been really fortunate—I've had chemotherapy, the mastectomy, radiation treatment, and immunotherapy, which is a massive thing," Marshall said. "At the moment, I'm in that really happy space where we're just monitoring now, because there's nothing active." Never one to sit still, Marshall has remained involved this season as a mentor for younger umpires, adapting to her health needs while staying connected to the game she loves.
A Lifelong Passion for Cricket
Marshall's passion for cricket was ignited from a young age. The only time a television would appear in her childhood home was during the summer when cricket was broadcast. As a toddler, she would go out and watch her father play, while her mother brewed tea using a portable gas burner. She was also present at the historic Prime Minister's XI match at Manuka Oval in 1984, where legends like Dennis Lillee and Greg Chappell teamed up with a young David Boon, who blasted an impressive 134 runs.
Marshall was a foundational member of Ginninderra's first women's team, eventually captaining the side before deciding that playing cricket was too time-consuming as a young mother. She began scoring her husband's games and eventually returned to the field until her body slowed down, leading to the birth of a distinguished umpiring career. "I got a bit confident in what I was doing in Canberra and I wanted to make myself a bit uncomfortable, so I started driving up to Sydney," Marshall recalled, detailing her unconventional accommodations to pursue her passion.
Umpiring Across Levels and Communities
Marshall's dedication saw her umpire women's first grade on Sundays, often adjudicating matches featuring some of the country's biggest Women's Big Bash stars. However, she is quick to clarify that she equally enjoys umpiring a primary school tournament like the Kookaburra Cup out in the country, as well as men's and women's grade cricket in Canberra or the Indian Australian Multicultural Sports Association. The latter plays cricket year-round in Canberra, and Marshall hopes by winter she will be ready to resume her place out in the middle, showcasing her resilience and commitment.
"I'm a bit of a perfectionist in my nature, and umpiring is very grounding for that," Marshall explained. "It teaches you very quickly that you can't be right all the time, and it teaches you how to deal with conflict and cope with being wrong. You learn pretty quickly that you can't please everyone; it's translated into other aspects of my adult life as well." She also views umpiring as a way of giving back to the game that has brought her so much joy, providing something to look forward to amidst her health battles.
Facing Cancer with Courage and Community
Marshall's battle with stage-four breast cancer has been a profound part of her journey, but she approaches it with remarkable courage and openness. "[Cancer] is something that touches so many people. It's really good to be able to talk about it; I think it normalises what a lot of people go through," she said. "I'm definitely not alone like many people who go through this kind of situation. I'm luckier than most I think, that's how I feel about it all anyway." Despite the challenges, including coping poorly with heat that has slowed her down this season, she continues to mentor younger umpires, taking her puppy along to matches and providing valuable feedback on their technique.
Her story is a testament to resilience, community, and the unyielding spirit of those who refuse to let adversity define them. Through her journey, Margaret Marshall not only inspires on the cricket field but also off it, showing that passion and perseverance can fuel a drive that is truly unstoppable.
