International Women’s Day – Tara Jones’ first year as a full-time match official

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate Tara Jones MBE, not just for what she has achieved but for what she makes possible for the next generation of women in Rugby League.

Now a full-time match official, Jones’ career represents a significant moment in the continued development of Rugby League, particularly in expanding pathways for women in both elite playing and officiating roles.

Last December marked her first, full year in this role and there has already been plenty to celebrate during her time as a match official.

After an illustrious player career, including captaining a top tier Women’s Super League side in their debut season and earning 14 International caps, Jones made the bold decision to hang up her boots at the end of 2024 to pursue officiating full-time.

Alongside her playing career, she developed as a match official from a young age, a pathway which would ultimately shape her future in the sport.

In April 2024, the former Hooker became the first woman to referee a senior RFL men’s fixture when she managed the League One match between Oldham and Cornwall at Boundary Park.

It was a defining moment, not just for her career, but for the visibility of women in officiating roles traditionally dominated by men.

Since then, Jones has become an integral part of the RFL full-time match officials’ team, joining in December 2024 to become the first woman appointed to this role and a dedicated ambassador for women’s officiating development.

Less than a year later, her influence was recognised on the world stage when she made her international officiating debut as a touch judge for the women’s Test between the Australia Jillaroos and England Women at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

In March 2025, Jones took another step in the men’s professional game, officiating the Betfred Championship game between Hunslet RLFC and Halifax Panthers. Since then, she has become a regular referee at this level and hopes to referee Super League in the near future.

Last July, the trailblazer had a central role in the annual Warrington Armed Forces Day at Crosfields, refereeing the Sephton Trophy. Jones has officiated at every Sephton Trophy event since it was launched, with it holding a special place in her heart as her Dad was in the British Army for 22 years.

In October, Jones was appointed as referee for the Betfred Women’s Super League Grand Final, a fitting milestone at the end of her first full season as a full-time match official. Her appointment not only recognised her technical ability but celebrated her as a role model for women officials at all levels.

In recognition of her achievements on and off the field, Jones was awarded an MBE for services to Rugby League in the 2026 New Year’s Honours. This prestigious honour acknowledges her pioneering work as an official and her broader influence on equality and opportunity within the sport. 

On celebrating a full year in her role, Jones said: “My first year as a full-time match official has been great and the last 12 months has really allowed me to grow and progress.

“There have been some challenges along the way but since hanging up my playing boots there has also been some really positive moments which has really cemented that I made the right decision to transition fully from playing to officiating.

“To see other young girls now taking up officiating and having conversations with them around how they truly believe they can make it to the top level and follow in my footsteps is really humbling.

“For a long time I was the only graded female match official and now we sit in meetings with a number of girls present and can appoint an all-female match official team to games which is amazing to see.”