Why England's top female ref is playing at World Cup

Tara Jones was always going to be involved in the World Cup, but she had to decide whether it was as a referee or as a member of the England squad.

Jones, who was the first woman to officiate in a Super League match in 2019, chose to play and will line up at hooker for the host nation in the opening match of the women’s World Cup against Brazil at Headingley Stadium.

NRL referees Kasey Badger and Belinda Sharpe have created history by controlling matches in the men’s tournament and New Zealand's Rochelle Tamarua has been a touch judge, but there is no female Super League representation in the World Cup squad.

RFL head of match officials Steve Ganson, who is RLWC2021 match officials manager, said the reason was because Jones had been selected in the England team.

"We recognise Tara's abilities as a match official but understand her desire to play for England and wish her well," Ganson said.

"We had discussions about how much it meant to her to play for England and I fully understand that, but at the time she is able to fully commit to refereeing I am sure she will be a great asset to the group."

Despite turning down an opportunity to referee at the 2017 World Cup in Australia only to miss out on a place in England’s squad, Jones said she didn’t hesitate when faced with the same decision.

“I am kind of at a point in my career where I had to make a decision and I knew that the opportunities refereeing-wise were there for me in the World Cup,” Jones said.

“Conversations were had with Steve Ganson and some of the match official team but I think at this point in time, with the age I am and where I am in my playing career, it would be a bit of a missed opportunity not to try and play in a World Cup and represent my country.

“Hopefully those [refereeing] opportunities will still be there, and I can push for them in the future.”

The 26-year-old has been playing since a young age and took up refereeing after turning 12 and no longer being able to play alongside boys, as there weren’t always enough girls to form a team.

I was really made up for Kasey and Belinda and proud of them

Tara Jones

She has since gone on to referee Challenge Cup matches and been a touch judge in Super League, while helping St Helens to Women’s Super League glory and representing England in five Tests since 2018.

“I am officiating across the men’s game, whether that be Academy, League One, Championship or Super League,” Jones said. “I have done only a handful of female games, but it is not within the top level of the female game because I am playing within that competition.

“I think both roles work hand-in-hand because refereeing gives you advantages in a playing capacity but playing also gives you advantages in a refereeing capacity.

"I have had occasions where some players have asked during the game, ‘do you play’, and they comment that they can tell.

“Obviously there are challenges like this and there will be more real hard decisions that I have to face in the future because I know there are future opportunities in officiating, but also playing as well.

“There is going to be a time I have to choose but at the moment the World Cup comes first and I am living the dream of representing my country on a world stage and hopefully bringing home a trophy.

"That is the goal for us as a team so hopefully in a couple of weeks I can sit there and say ‘I am part of a World Cup winning side’.”