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<\/p>\nThe RFU has launched a nationwide campaign to inspire 500 new female rugby referees to join the sport by the end of 2024.<\/p>\n
The #INSPIRE campaign launching today, will celebrate a female referee every day in the build up to the England v Japan Autumn international on November 12th, at which 50 of England\u2019s most inspiring female referees will take to the pitch at Twickenham.<\/p>\n
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The campaign launched by the RFU is all part of a drive to bring more female referees into the sport as part of the RFU\u2019s Every Rose strategy.<\/p>\n
The RFU is launching the campaign in partnership with ACME Whistles and some of the biggest refereeing names in the sport. Each day a brilliant female referee will be celebrated on social media and on ruck.co.uk, in the build up to the game at Twickenham in November.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s so important to keep women in the sport, and even bring more into rugby,\u201d said Leonie Pryor, RFU Match Official Developer, who created the project.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith such a dominance on the pitch from the Red Roses, and with our top female referees making a name in both men\u2019s and women\u2019s rugby \u2013 there are so many incredible female role models in the sport.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy sharing some of the incredible stories behind these amazing women, we hope that more players, fans and family \u2013 no matter what their age \u2013 will look at refereeing as a way to be involved in the sport.<\/p>\n
Across England, the number of registered female referees who regularly officiate games is currently lower than the number of registered male referees, something that Leonie and her team are keen to change.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving already talked to many of the inspiring women referees from around the UK, it\u2019s the stories of \u2018confidence\u2019, \u2018teamwork\u2019, \u2018community\u2019 and \u2018belonging\u2019 that make this such a powerful project.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou never know \u2013 we might even inspire the next Sara Cox, or Hollie Davidson to join refereeing.\u201d<\/p>\n
ACME Whistles, whose founder invented the modern-day sports whistle, is backing the campaign by helping to spread the word through its network of elite referee contacts, as well as creating a personalised engraved whistle for each referee involved.<\/p>\n
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Ben McFarlane, marketing director at ACME Whistles, added: \u201cOver the last year, we have spoken to some of the world\u2019s leading female rugby referees, including Sara Cox, Aimee Barrett-Theron, Hollie Davidson and Kat Roche \u2013 all incredibly talented and dedicated elite referees.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe in refereeing talent and recognising the time and effort every referee gives to the sport.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are therefore delighted to be able to support a campaign that shines a spotlight on women in rugby and will encourage more women and girls to take up the whistle.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe stories we have heard so far have been incredible and we are working to create a very special platform to showcase each of the fifty referees and their stories in a digital \u2018yearbook\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithout referees, we can\u2019t have sport so it\u2019s only right that we are backing this important campaign – #INSPIRE!\u201d<\/p>\n