Referees in campaign to get more female officials in rugby union

Chrissy Clark and Nomtha Gray joined 48 other referees to launch a new campaign, prior to England’s win against Japan, at Twickenham earlier this month.

The 50 referees were presented with a whistle, blowing them in unison to mark the beginning of the campaign.

A little bit of fun for a Tuesday morning, in case World Cup fever hasn’t settled in yet. Some links (mainly tenuous) between Oxford United and the 32 nations out in Qatar, including Phil Foden, Cristiano Ronaldo and Djavan Anderson… #oufc https://t.co/1TB0CUiEkQ

— Liam Rice (@OxMailLiamRice) November 22, 2022

Clark said: “I love the game, I love being around the game with like-minded people, and I love the club, community and family feel.

“I’m nearing the end of my playing career now, but I want to be involved with rugby beyond that.

“Coaching wasn’t something I fancied doing, but by refereeing, I can be on a pitch involved in a game, but without the bumps, bashes and scrapes that goes along with being a player.”

The project is being led by RFU match official developer Leonie Pryor, with the goal of inspiring 500 new female rugby referees by the end of 2024.

She said: “Seeing these amazing women taking to the pitch ahead of the game in front of a packed Twickenham gave me goosebumps.

“The sound of 50 whistles reverberating around the ground was enough to stop everyone in their tracks.”