Rugby League: I have been treated with nothing but respect says female Widnes Referees Society official

Feb 17 2011 by Dave Bettley, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

THE trend-setting female secretary of the Widnes Rugby League Referees’ Society said women should not have any qualms about becoming a match official in her sport.

Five years ago, Louise Greenhalgh became the first woman to be appointed for a major open-age final and made her comments after welcoming 15-year-old Lauren Bell into the fold.

As the society’s newest recruit – and the first female to join the Widnes ranks for eight years – Bell is expected to take charge of her first game on Saturday, February 20.

She will officiate at a Stobart Stadium Halton curtain-raiser to the Northern Rail Cup tie between Widnes Vikings and Rochdale Hornets on Saturday, having successfully negotiated a match officials course.

The role of women referees in association football was at the centre of controversy last month when Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys and pundit Andy Gray were brought to book for off-air comments made about female referees.

Ex-Everton striker and Scotland international Gray was subsequently sacked following further allegations while Keys resigned after publicly apologising for his remarks.

Both have since joined commercial radio station Talksport with the issue having reopened the debate about sexism in sport.

But Greenhalgh, who made history through her involvement in the 2006 Co-operative Natonal League 3 Grand Final at Headingley, Leeds, says she has encountered no problems in the 13-a-side code.

She said: “There are equal opportunities within rugby league to progress your match officials career as far as you wish to take it – whether you are male or female.

“Throughout my career in the sport, I have found that you are not treated any differently just because you are female, I have personally found players, coaches, clubs and other match officials to be very accepting of me when I am officiating.

“It does create a few raised eyebrows when you arrive at grounds but people are very good and appreciate you are there to officiate a match and respect you for the role you are fulfilling.”

She added: “I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend match officiating to any female who has an interest in taking up the whistle.

“It’s a very rewarding sport that helps build confidence, communication and people management skills, all of which are transferable skills within the workplace, and I have enjoyed every moment of my career so far.”