Rugby League World Cup: Rockhampton’s Belinda Sharpe to referee women’s grand final

Rockhampton’s Belinda Sharpe is gearing up for the biggest event in her decorated rugby league refereeing career. Read what she has to say about it here.

Rockhampton’s Belinda Sharpe has been appointed to referee the Rugby League World Cup women’s grand final between Australia and New Zealand. (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)

Belinda Sharpe is gearing up for the biggest milestone in her decorated refereeing career.

The 35-year-old from Rockhampton will take the whistle in the Rugby League World Cup women’s grand final between Australia and New Zealand on Saturday night.

Her appointment comes after she officiated and ran the line in a number of women’s and men’s games at the international tournament being played in the United Kingdom.

It has been an incredible journey for Sharpe, who started her career in the local junior footy ranks in Rockhampton and went on to make history as the first female to referee an NRL game in 2019.

“Refereeing the women’s final at Old Trafford will be really special - it’s such a significant place in terms of world sport,” she said from her base in Manchester.

“Growing up in Rockhampton and starting my refereeing career there, I would never have dreamed of being part of a World Cup, let alone doing a final.

Rockhampton’s Belinda Sharpe has been appointed to referee the Rugby League World Cup women’s grand final between Australia and New Zealand. (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)

“I’ve really enjoyed my time in the UK; it’s been a fantastic experience being in camp for six weeks with officials from across the world.”

Sharpe’s father Alastair Sleeman said it was a fantastic achievement, and one he and wife Cathy would savour when they tune into the grand final, which kicks off at 11.15pm Saturday.

“This is the biggest game of her career, there’s no question about that,” he said.

“She’s come a long way since she refereed her first game - under-8s at Gracemere - to get on to the world stage.

“Cath and I are very excited and very proud of where she’s got to in her career.

“We don’t know where she’ll go from here but we’re certainly very happy about where she’s got to, that’s for sure.”