Sheila Dorothy Hill was born in Pinner, Middlesex, on 10th August 1928.
Her cricketing career began in Kent, where she played for the county's 1st XI and 2nd XI between 1954 - 1971. On securing a job at St Paul's Girls School, she moved back to Middlesex and settled in Eastcote - joining Gunnersbury WCC - which became the start of a long and fruitful relationship with the Club.
A wicket-keeper bat, Sheila had a solid playing career, before the lure of the white coat and scorers' pencil took over. She quickly gained a reputation as someone with an amazing knowledge of the laws of the game, a stickler for playing within the spirit of the game - indeed, someone who just loved the game whatever the level. She was just as happy umpiring a Gunnersbury friendly game at Argyle Road, as she was umpiring the very first Women's World Cup Final at Edgbaston in 1973 - where England famously beat Australia.
In all, she umpired or scored in fourteen Women's Test or One Day International matches, and literally hundreds of other matches in the Women's games.
In the 1990's Sheila played a major part in revising the ACU&S textbook, Cricket and Umpiring - she showed an amazing capacity for hard work, once 'popping' to New Zealand for a conference and returning within 6 days, as she had 'too much to do to at home, to spend any longer there'! All that whilst in her mid 60's and at the same time showing an unwavering determination to resurrect junior cricket in Middlesex. Her drive, enthusiasm and hard work paved the way for many to take to the game - Katie Berry, Beth Morgan and Danni Warren to name but three Middlesex Women's cricketers who benefitted from Sheila's passion.
On her retirement, St Paul's loss was Gunnersbury WCC's gain, as she threw her efforts into the Club, becoming Chairman and guiding them through many successful years. The real power behind the throne, she helped guide and nurture a new generation of the committee, making sure that the spirit of cricket was always adhered to. Sheila also played a key role in the formation of the Women's Cricket Southern League - as a founding member of WCSL.
WCSL was formed 18 years ago, Sheila formulated all of the rules and regulations for the league and over time added new ones that the clubs asked for. All of the rules were thoroughly thought through, and written so well that it is almost impossible for a loophole to be found! Sheila always gave her time freely, would listen to everyone's thoughts and then give her measured response - which was always far more sensible! She always thought about 'what if scenarios' that hadn't even crossed other people's minds! Sheila continued to offer her advice for many years, until she moved to Rotherham.
Sheila's calmness, forward thinking and dry sense of humour endeared her to so many - she was one of a kind. Never having owned a TV in her life, she was a wonderful source of information, incredibly well read with a very dry sense of humour; slow to anger, but quick to listen, she led by example.
Her services to Women's cricket saw her being awarded the MBE in 2011 - she was typically humble about it but all knew she was enormously proud. Held in the highest esteem by so many in the game, Sheila will be sorely missed; she made a massive contribution to Women's cricket in the 80+ years she dedicated to it, and leaves us all the richer for having known her.
