NRL 2019: Referee Belinda Sharpe poised for first-grade debut in Broncos v Bulldogs


Belinda Sharpe hopes her historic appointment will inspire a generation of female referees to follow her example and officiate NRL games in the future.

Sharpe will become the first woman to referee an NRL game, when she debuts as the pocket referee in Thursday's match between Brisbane Broncos and Canterbury Bulldogs.

"There are a number of female referees right across the country now, particularly at the grassroots level," Sharpe told media.

"[It is] fantastic to see and hopefully they can see that they can make a fulltime career out of this, and they can get to this point and referee a first-grade game.

"I hope it inspires other people to be involved in the game."

Sharpe is adamant her gender had never been a barrier since she first picked up the whistle in her hometown of Rockhampton.

And while she acknowledges the significance of the occasion, Sharpe is intent on narrowing her focus on the job at hand.

"I know it interests a lot of other people," she said. "I understand being the first, it does bring that interest.

"But for me, I've never been treated any differently on the field, and I've certainly never been treated any different by my colleagues and by the other referees.

"And that's the way I like it to be."

Sharpe is also unfased by the prospect of making her debut under the bright lights of prime-time football at Suncorp Stadium on a Thursday night.

Nor is she daunted by dealing with the different personalities in the game.

"I've been around a little while now and experienced a number of different players, a number of different personalities on the field," Sharpe said.

"So I'm sure each game will bring it's different challenges, but that's part and parcel of being a referee."

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said Sharpe deserved the call-up.

"The chance to become the first female referee in the NRL would have come with some pressure, but she has worked her way through our refereeing pathways and patiently waited for the opportunity," Greenberg said.

"This is an historic moment for the game and one which should be celebrated."

The decision to appoint Sharpe for Broncos/Bulldogs has been welcomed by Brisbane veteran Andrew McCullough.

The hooker will play his 250th NRL match, but Sharpe's debut as a first-grade referee will mark the occasion in rugby league history.

"Congratulations to her and it just shows the development of the game of rugby league has come a long way," said McCullough. "I hope she's excited, she should be.

"That's quite an achievement and something she should be very proud of."

Sharpe's elevation comes after she was appointed as an NRL touch judge in 2014 and performed that role during the 2017 World Cup.

A former Queensland Cup referee, Sharpe was also in charge for a Broncos' trial match against Wynnum-Manly in February.

"I don't think she'd be overawed by it all," McCullough said. "She wouldn't be getting the job if she wasn't capable of it." 

AAP 

Join us at 8pm Friday for live updates of the Warriors v Sharks NRL clash