Roaming Ref: Holly Feller
Holly Feller is based in Devon and is in her first full season of refereeing.
Learn more about refereeing
How did you get into refereeing?
After nine years of playing, I got injured playing for Topsham. I was still involved with the rugby club, managing my son’s team and watching the women’s team play each week. I was sat on the sidelines and a referee from the Devon Referee society came over. He joked that I should try refereeing and that was the lightbulb moment for me. I’m now in my first full season of refereeing, operating at Level 12.
What was the first game you ever refereed?
It was actually quite an odd experience as it was the same fixture I was playing in when I got injured. Totnes Bluebirds vs Plymstock Albion Oaks Women 2s. It was the last game I’d played in and the first game I refereed!
I had been at Twickenham the day before for England vs Japan, as part of a group of female match officials who surrounded the national flags on the pitch. We were on the pitch alongside the players during the national anthems, in front of the 81,000-strong crowd.
I drove to Devon the next day and felt inspired but also very nervous! I was going over the laws in my head for the whole journey. It took me a little while to get into the swing of it when the game started but I quickly settled in and loved it.
Talk us through a match day from your perspective.
I try to make sure I do all my life and mum admin the night before, so I have a clear morning before a game. I get my kit bag ready and plan what I’m eating to make sure I’m fuelling my body for the day.
I get to the club about an hour and fifteen minutes before kick-off so I can have a chat with the teams and answer any questions the coaches might have. I warm up and put my hype playlist on, then it’s time for the game!
Afterwards, I go to the clubhouse and I’m happy to answer any questions that coaches or players have about the game. Most of the games I’ve refereed so far, I’ve known the clubs and the players, so it’s good to catch up.
What is the best game you have refereed, and why?
It was probably a charity game that I refereed last year – Brixham Sirens vs Exeter Saracens. The club had a pre-match lunch and tannoy announcements during the game. They also had my name in the programme, which is always special. The whole day had a really good vibe; everyone cared about making women’s rugby as much a spectacle as the men’s games.
What is the best experience you’ve had from refereeing?
I’ve enjoyed seeing the other side of the game and meeting other referees. When I transitioned from playing to refereeing, I thought I’d miss being with a team but there is such camaraderie between referees. Even though other referees aren’t on the pitch with me, people from my referee society are still in my corner. They’re always there to chat, give support or advice and to big me up when I need it.
I’ve also met lots of other referees through my refereeing account on social media and through the England Rugby Female Match Official Facebook groups. I’ve attended Women in Rugby conferences and have been invited to an event called Everest, which are great chance opportunities to see other female referees and see how many they are.
What's the furthest distance you've had to travel to referee a match?
I’ve been all over! Through knowing other referees on social media, I’ve had opportunities to referee as far as Birmingham and London. I did a vets’ fest in Moseley which was great fun and I’ve done Rosslyn Parks 7s which is a brilliant experience. When I get offered these opportunities, if I can make it work with childcare and playing, I always will. The opportunities are great and so I want to do as much as possible.
What are some of the challenges you face as a referee?
As a new referee, it is sometimes hard to get the empathy from players that I am new and I’m still learning.
I always let the teams know that I am in my first season of refereeing, and it has mixed results! Sometimes, teams try and ref the game for you which is not what I’m after – I’d like some empathy rather than help doing my job! I’m still working on finding the right balance between being assertive but also being new to the game.
At the end of the day, referees are all human beings and we do make mistakes. It’s sometimes difficult remembering all the laws at once! When I was doing my refereeing qualifications, someone said, “You can just take your time, blow your whistle, take a few seconds to remember how to communicate it.” That’s been really helpful advice – I know why I’ve blown up, and I take a few seconds to remember the correct phrasing for players.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about getting into refereeing?
Just do it! Even if you’re just thinking about it, look for a course, reach out to referees you may know or find social media accounts and speak to people about their experience! Most referees I know would say that they love doing it.
If you’re not playing anymore, it’s a great way of staying involved. Or even if you are still playing, you can do it alongside. Just back yourself and go for it.
