Sara Cox becomes first female rugby referee to join RFU match official team

An injury caused the 25-year-old to cut short her playing career and take up officiating

Sara Cox has been appointed the first female ref for the RFU

Who would want to be a referee at 25?

In her youth, Sara Cox played rugby alongside her male peers for Cullompton in Devon before finding a girls’ side and winning county and regional honours. She even had a couple of trials to play for England. Now, at just 25, she has made history by becoming the first woman to join the RFU’s match officials team.

How did she come to be a referee?

Unfortunately, an injury caused her to cut short her playing career and take up officiating. She has since risen up the ranks. For the last few years, as well as her job at a waste management company in Exeter, she has taken charge of matches in world rugby’s Women’s Sevens Series.

What about the pressure?

“There is a lot of respect for match officials in rugby,” she said. “You are there to guarantee a game and the players appreciate that but, to be offered a contact to train with the elite male referees, being put through my paces, is an amazing opportunity.”

So what does she want to achieve next?

Sara hopes her contract with the RFU will allow her to achieve her goal of refereeing at the highest level: next year’s Olympics.