FORMER player Tara Jones is to be Super League’s first female referee.
Jones has been appointed to the Wigan-Huddersfield encounter at Brick Community Stadium this Saturday.
“I was a bit shocked when I found out,” the 29-year-old said.
“I was travelling on my way down to London to receive my MBE at Windsor Castle tomorrow so it’s a bit manic and I’m not in the office today.
“[Match Officials General Manager] Andy Smith asked me to jump on a Teams call and all the match officials coaches were on it.
“I actually thought I was in trouble. I wasn’t quite sure what they all wanted!
“But then they gave me the good news that they’ve appointed me to my first Super League game this weekend and I was just absolutely made up.
“You never really know what to say in those kinds of situations. I thanked the coaches. I really appreciate their support and them believing in me as well.
“And now I’m really looking forward to the weekend.”
Belinda Sharpe was joined by Ben Cummins in refereeing an NRL match in 2019 and four years later she controlled a men’s game on her own.
Jones continued: “I feel very proud after refereeing since the age of 12.
“This has always been a lifelong ambition of mine to referee in Super League.
“Making the decision to retire from playing just over a year ago was a really hard one and something I initially struggled to come to terms with.
“But the past 12 months or so since being a full-time official has really cemented for me that I have done the right thing.
“Making my Super League debut this weekend makes it all worth it – and the 12 year-old me would be very proud!”
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