World Rugby Launches Inspiring Women in Match Officiating Series
World Rugby is kicking off its Women in Match Officiating Webinar Series to encourage female referees globally.
Introduction to the Webinar Series
World Rugby is excited to announce the launch of its Women in Match Officiating Webinar Series, aimed at inspiring more women and girls to pursue careers in refereeing. This initiative seeks to assist rugby organizations worldwide in improving their recruitment and retention strategies.
First Webinar Scheduled for November
The inaugural session, titled Recruitment of Female Match Officials, will take place on Tuesday, November 24. Two distinct sessions will be hosted to cater to participants from all over the rugby community.
Building Awareness and Sharing Insights
This series intends to highlight match officiating as an appealing and fulfilling pursuit for women and girls. It will connect voices from various parts of the rugby world to share firsthand experiences, practical advice, and effective strategies tailored to enhance the recruitment, development, and retention of female match officials.
Key Takeaways from the First Session
The focus of the first webinar will be on recruitment, a crucial aspect of increasing female involvement in officiating. Attendees will benefit from insights provided by expert match officials and leaders in rugby development.
- An overview of World Rugby’s strategy for match officiating development will be presented by their officiating team.
- Acclaimed referees Maggie Cogger-Orr and Aurélie Groizeleau will share their unique experiences in two separate sessions, discussing the challenges and triumphs that can aid recruitment efforts.
- Alan Moses, Coach and Match Official Impact Manager with the Rugby Football Union, will delve into the Impact ’25 initiative in connection with the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. He will provide practical examples and insights regarding recruitment planning, execution, challenges faced, and key takeaways.
Each speaker will offer valuable advice and actionable tips for participants to utilize within their own unions, referee associations, and community programs.
Open to All Rugby Enthusiasts
The Women in Match Officiating Webinar Series welcomes everyone with an interest in rugby—including players, coaches, officials, and union representatives—who are passionate about fostering more opportunities for females within the sport. This is an excellent chance to learn how to encourage more women to join officiating, enhance current recruitment campaigns, or discover successful methods used worldwide.
Upcoming Sessions to Follow
The webinar on November 24 marks the beginning of a broader series, with additional sessions set to take place through 2027. These future webinars will explore further topics and strategies to bolster the advancement and involvement of women in match officiating.
Session Details
Two sessions will be held to accommodate different time zones:
- Session 1: 08:00 GMT featuring Maggie Cogger-Orr. Register here.
- Session 2: 18:00 GMT featuring Aurélie Groizeleau. Register here.
Click the links above to secure your spot for this valuable learning experience.