It was 2011, when I was 16 when I was encouraged by some of the coaches to do a referee course that was coming up. I had played rugby when I was younger but thought I’d give refereeing a go with no expectations other than just try and earn some pocket money. After doing the course and refereeing games in Northwest Counties, I loved it and would do three or four games a week! Having lost a lot of weight training to get better I began to progress and through the support of the society I got to do the interchange role on a Super League game, from that day onwards I knew I wanted to be a Super League Referee. After continuing to progress and a lot of good coaching I was appointed to Touch Judge my first Super League match at 18 and at 20 was a Grade 1 Referee in the Championship and League 1 comps. I had completed my Law Degree at University and had planned to pursue a legal career as a Solicitor, but in 2017 the RFL advertised the role for a Full Time Match Official to join the panel. It was a big decision to make in my career, but I knew I wanted to do the role full time to learn and progress. Thankfully, I got the job starting in June 2017 and went on to referee my first Super League game that same year.

2017 also included getting selected to go to Australia for the World Cup at the end of the year which was another unbelievable experience, and I could feel I was improving with full time coaching and learning off some greatly experienced top-class referees in that environment. 2019 saw me take on an additional role as part time Recruitment & Development Manager bringing through and coaching new officials, something I am passionate about as well as working closely with my RFL colleagues from all departments of the game. I started the 2020 season with confidence that I had established myself and experience as a Super League referee and the season turned out to be one, I’d never forget. I went on to referee my first quarter, semi and then Challenge Cup Final at Wembley, at 25 the youngest ever referee. I have started my 5th year working at the RFL as an Elite International Referee showing that there are great opportunities in the game to pursue a successful career, if you are willing to be dedicated, work hard and be resilient.