History made: Belinda Sharpe to become first female to referee an NRL game

[josie andrews]

Belinda Sharpe will create history on Thursday night when she becomes the first female to referee an NRL game when Brisbane Broncos host Cantebrury Bulldogs.

Sharpe has become a regular feature on the touchline at NRL games but has also refereed Intrust Super Cup matches since 2015. She was then promoted to a full-time referee contract in May this year.

“At that stage I was just focused on coming down to Sydney and joining the full-time squad and getting my feet into that environment,” she told NRL.com.

“That was the first and foremost thing for me. Certainly it’s been a whirlwind couple of months for me, and that appointment was a stepping stone to this Thursday for sure.

“I just loved rugby league growing up and I played touch football, ended up refereeing touch footy and made the transition from there.

“The game has been my passion and now I’ve turned that into a full-time career.”

https://www.totalrl.com/belinda-sharpe- ... l-referee/

[BriH]

Hope she does well! Can't see why not, and after her first game she said the players were very supportive.
Good on her!!