Tara Jones to make more Rugby League history

Tara Jones will make more history this weekend after becoming the first woman appointed to referee a senior domestic professional Rugby League fixture in the Northern Hemisphere.

Jones, a 27-year-old who also plays at the highest level for St Helens and England Women – and has already secured one place in history having scored the opening try in the first Women’s Challenge Cup Final at Wembley last August – will take charge of the Betfred League One fixture between Oldham and Cornwall at Boundary Park on Sunday.

She follows in the footsteps of Sarah Bennison, who is thought to be the only woman to have refereed a senior league fixture previously – but only for the second half.

Bennison had become a regular touch judge for Championship One matches, as well as refereeing in the National Conference League, and then stepped up as referee for a match between Workington Town and Swinton in 2011 when the appointed referee Jamie Leahy suffered a severe nosebleed and was unable to continue.

Phil Bentham, the RFL’s Head of Match Officials, said:

“Tara has earned this opportunity after years of steady development as a match official through the community game and as a regular touch judge and in-goal judge for professional matches.

“She has received high-profile appointments in a number of competitions, including this season’s Betfred Challenge Cup, and has impressed everyone with the way she has performed – earning the respect of players, coaches and her fellow match officials.”

Bentham also confirmed a number of additions to the Match Officials Department since he joined the RFL full-time from football’s Professional Game Match Officials Limited last month.

Andy Smith, a highly respected and experienced touch judge, has been appointed a new full-time coach in the Match Officials Department, with a focus on touch judges.

Meanwhile three former officials have returned to the sport as Match Officials reviewers – James Child, Ian Smith and Matt Thomason.

Phil Bentham added:

“I am delighted that Andy has joined our department full-time, and that James, Ian and Matt are also back in the team. All four bring a wealth of experience, covering many match officials’ roles, and will provide invaluable feedback and coaching to our officials.”