One of St Helens’ Grand Final squad has called time on her playing career and become the first female full-time rugby league referee.
Tara Jones will join the RFL’s full-time Match Officials Squad for 2025, becoming the first woman to join the group since its inception in 2006.
Jones has set about a number of firsts in recent years, specifically taking charge of a men’s Challenge Cup game as well as making waves officiating in League One, whilst also being a touch judge in Super League.
She has done all of that whilst being a key player in a St Helens squad that won both the Challenge Cup and the League Leaders Shield, before being defeated in the Grand Final on Sunday.
It’s been confirmed that Jones informed her St Helens teammates of her decision to call time on her playing career ahead of Sunday’s 18-8 loss to York Valkyrie.
Whilst there was no fairytale ending for Jones, the 28-year-old now swaps being a playing member of the sporting elite to being an officiating member.
Trailblazing St Helens and England star becomes appointed as a full-time referee
Credit: Paul Currie/SWpix.com =
Her appointment to the Full-Time Match Officials Squad was confirmed by the RFL and St Helens.
A statement from the RFL confirmed the appointment: “Tara Jones will join the RFL’s Full-Time Match Officials Squad for 2025.
“The 28-year-old has been a trailblazer for a number of years as a member of the RFL’s Grade One officials list, making historic appearances as a touch judge and referee at all levels – including refereeing her first Betfred League One match this season, and as a touch-judge in a number of Betfred Super League fixtures.”
Phil Bentham, the RFL’s Head of Match Officials, said: “I’m delighted that Tara will be joining our Full-Time Match Officials Squad for the 2025 season.
“It’s been a big decision for her to retire from a fantastic club and international playing career after this weekend’s Women’s Super League Grand Final.
“She’s had a brilliant season as a match official, becoming the first female official to referee Men’s League One and touch judge Men’s Super League.
“This significant appointment will see Tara become the first woman to join our full-time squad, since its inception in 2006.
“She will combine her full-time MO role with work as an ambassador for woman officials, primarily focusing on the recruitment and development of a new cohort. We have seen a massive growth in the women’s game and it’s vital that we see similar growth in our pool of women officials.”
Stuart Barrow, the Head Coach of England Women, said: “Tara has been an outstanding player for club and country, at such an exciting time for Women’s Rugby League – and she was an integral part of our 2022 World Cup campaign.
“It has taken remarkable dedication and commitment to combine that with her development as a match official.
“With those qualities, all of us in the England Women set-up look forward to watching her develop as member of the Full-Time Match Officials Squad, and as an outstanding role model for Women and Girls in the sport.”
