Vera Selby

Vera Selby MBE (born 13 March 1930) is an English former snooker and English billiards player. She won the Women's World Open Championship twice, in both 1976 and 1981. She was also the Women's Billiards champion from 1970 to 1978.

Selby was introduced to billiards as a six-year-old. Her uncle had a table in the cellar of his home in Newcastle and she would sit and watch. At the age of 36, she was seen playing by former British amateur billiards and snooker champion Alf Nolan, who started coaching her.

In 1976 she became the first ever women's world champion, claiming the title by beating Muriel Hazeldine 4–0 in the final, which was held in Middlesbrough. Her second title in 1981 came after a 3–0 defeat of Mandy Fisher in the final. At 51, her success made her the oldest woman world champion in any sport.

Selby became a television commentator for snooker, is a qualified referee, and served as chairman of the North East Billiards and Snooker Association. She won a lifetime achievement award for her services to billiards in 2014.

In 2009 Selby became the Master of the 400-year-old Fellmongers’ Guild in Richmond, as the first female Master in its history.

In 2016, she was awarded the MBE, for services to sport. At the age of 85, she was still playing cue sports regularly.

She was born in Richmond, North Yorkshire Richmond, where her father was manager of the Freeman, Hardy and Willis shop. Selby studied art and design at Leeds University, before becoming a senior art, textile and dress designer lecturer at the former Newcastle Polytechnic, before taking early retirement at 53.

• 1976 Women's World Open champion
• 1981 Women's World Open Championship winner
• Women's Billiards Champion, 1970–79 (1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979. There was no contest in 1975)

Reanne Evans and Vera Selby on Ladies Day (2016) YouTube video.