Jones named first woman to referee in Super LeagueImage source, SwpixImage caption, Tara Jones was the first woman to be appointed to the RFL full-time match officials squad at the end of 2024ByMatthew CresswellBBC Sport EnglandPublished2 hours agoTara Jones will become the first woman to take charge of a men’s Super League game after being appointed to referee Saturday’s match between Wigan Warriors and Huddersfield Giants.The 29-year-old refereed her first Challenge Cup game back in 2018 and was appointed to the Rugby Football League [RFL] group of full-time match officials at the end of 2024.In March 2018, Jones became the first female on-field match official in the men’s Super League as an in-goal judge as Wigan defeated Wakefield 30-18 at the Brick Community Stadium.Earlier this season, she became the first woman to referee a game involving a men’s Super League side, taking charge of Wakefield’s 82-6 victory at Swinton Lions in the Challenge Cup.A former England and St Helens hooker, Jones stepped down from playing duties in 2024 to become a full-time referee following Saints’ defeat by York Valkyrie in that year’s Women’s Super League Grand Final.
She was made an MBE for services to rugby league, as a referee, in the 2026 New Year’s Honours list – an award she will officially receive on Tuesday.
“I was a bit shocked when I found out,” Jones told the RFL about her weekend assignment.
