Scaling Up Female Referee Numbers with My Everest
Last year around 60 female match officials gathered for a weekend aiming to scale up numbers in a programme called My Everest
Now, as part of the Rugby World Cup 2015 Impact plan, there’s to be a further weekend event - My Everest Women Match Officials Conference 2023 - on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th June at the University of Warwick, Coventry.
The aim is to continue to educate, inform and inspire female match officials at every level of the game, whether they have been officiating for years, are new to it or are yet to officiate their first game.
Great way to stay involved in the game
England Rugby’s professional referee Sara Cox says: “When I started refereeing it was because I wanted to stay involved in the game and I never imagined it would become my professional career and take me all over the world. Whatever level you want to cover, whether officiating young players or international matches, it is a great way to stay involved in the game and the community it has to offer.”
This residential weekend in Warwick for women will include discussions, activities and social elements and may be featuring some big names! This year they are planning to climb higher than before and make Everest the best it can be.
The hope is to create a memorable weekend for women whose goal may be supporting age-graderugby, or climbing to the dizzy heights that Sara Cox has achieved.
"Just sign up" says Holly
Holly Feller from the Devon Referees Society went to last year’s event before she had refereed a match and advises: “Women who are interested should just sign up. There were people there of all experiences and none. It didn’t matter if you had just done a course, were waiting to do one, or if you had years of officiating, everyone’s input and opinion was valued and it was a great weekend.”
There will be practical sessions, small group-work sessions, technical officiating workshops and topics such as women's athlete health, as well as an opportunity to relax and network in the evening.Accommodation and meals will be provided. Those of 14+ but Under 18 are more than welcome if with a chaperone for the weekend. And the cost is just £20 for attendees, and £10 for those chaperoning U18s.
Places are limited and on a first come, first served basis, closing on May 9th. Book your place here.
