#Inspire – celebrating female referee’s in rugby
Polly Ross qualified as a referee 20 years ago.
She put refereeing on hold to start a family but has been back on the pitch for the last 5 years as a coach and referee. Rugby is a passion shared by her whole family.
She thanks her mum, Amanda, for being a positive female role model who has inspired her to have the confidence to play, coach and referee rugby over the years.
In collaboration with our partners at ACME Whistles, we met up with Polly to chat about her route into refereeing, what motivates her and why female role models are so important.
Can you tell us a little about your relationship with rugby?
I started playing rugby at university over 20 years ago. Making the best friends and having great camaraderie was what made the sport special for me.
I played at club and regional level before having my 3 children I have recently moved to playing, coaching and refereeing touch rugby and coaching and refereeing kids rugby at our local club.
What was your first experience as a Match Official like?
It was a ladies university game, and I was pretty terrible. The opposition coach had to remind me to look for offside at half time 😂.
Tell us about your most memorable officiating moment to date.
Refereeing at an u7’s tournament. Ensuring everyone is having fun and giving positive feedback is key. The kids always come off the pitch with a big smile, which is the goal!
Who inspired you to take up the whistle?
At uni we were lucky enough to have two RFU coaches supporting our ladies’ team. These guys inspired me to take my rugby to a higher level and encouraged a few of us to take the refs course together.
After my rugby playing career finished and I had my 3 kids I am slowly getting back into it. I often referee the under 8’s at our local club as well as mixed touch rugby at another local rugby club.
What motivates you to referee?
Without referees there is no game. The kids learn so much from officiated games and as a touch referee too, it enables the game to flow and everyone to play in good spirits. It is also great for fitness!
In a few words, please tell us what it means to you to be a positive role model and INSPIRE other women and girls to get in to refereeing
Having started my rugby ‘career’ 20 years ago, things were quite different for women in rugby. It has come a long way since then but I would love to show others that a 40 something mum of 3 is still able to be involved in the game!
If you’re feeling inspired to take up the whistle, find out more about becoming a Match Official here: keepyourbootson.co.uk/referee-toolkit/supporting-match-officials-female/