Rachel Horton to create history when she referees Brisbane Premier Rugby clash
RACHEL Horton kicks and punches in her own sporting life, so controlling two brawny packs should be child’s play for the history-making referee.
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ENGLISH-born Rachel Horton kicks and punches in her own sporting life, so controlling two brawny packs should be child’s play today for the history-making referee.
Horton, 36, will become Queensland’s first female referee in Premier Rugby when she takes the whistle for the Norths-Bond University game at Hugh Courtney Oval.
It’s a big step in the male-dominated refereeing world and one Horton didn’t see coming when she finished her own 10-year playing career as a lock-No.8 in England and Canada.
“I found coaching really frustrating and didn’t think I’d like refereeing. I thought it would be a token gesture but it’s really satisfying when you enable a great game to happen,” Horton said.
“I’m excited. This chance in Premier Rugby has come out of the blue.”
The senior physics and chemistry teacher at Churchie co-ordinates the school’s refs and devotes herself to Muay Thai training and fighting when she’s not refereeing.
A title fight in the 70-75kg weight bracket is her sights for later this year but refereeing is her No.1 priority.
Horton admitted there were some curious looks when she started refereeing six seasons ago on the Gold Coast.
“One forward asked me for my phone number at a scrum which meant a funny double take but, honestly, I might get one nasty or cutting remark a year,” Horton said.
“I’m actually surprised at how accepting the players are. It’s not the players who doubt you as a female but sometimes there’s a slight paranoia pre-match from a coach.
“Because I’m a woman, I think players and coaches do make more of an effort to come over and say I’ve done a good job, if I have, so I probably get more feedback than male refs.”
At Crosby Park today, the GPS backline will be bolstered by new Reds trio Samu Kerevi, Sam Johnson and Chris Kuridrani for the clash against Brothers.
Halfback Scott Gale and finisher Jamie-Jerry Taulagi will head to Chipsy Wood Oval to help University tackle Souths.
Originally published as Rachel Horton to create history when she referees Brisbane Premier Rugby clash
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