David Tidmarsh began his journey in cricket as a player before transitioning to the role of an official. Born in Hay, New South Wales, on 2 May 1971, he eventually made his home in New Zealand. His professional background in the sport started on the field rather than behind the stumps or at the non-striker's end.
Before moving into umpiring, Tidmarsh competed at the first-class level. He earned three caps for Northern Districts during the 1992/93 season. This brief but tangible experience as a player provided him with a direct perspective on the challenges faced by those he now oversees in his current capacity.