A NEW women’s rugby refereeing event is taking place in the town this week.

Bolton Rugby Club on Avenue Street, is hosting the RFU taster session tomorrow, Wednesday May 22, between 7pm and 8.30pm.

Women, who maybe don’t want to be players but have an interest in the game, are being invited to get involved with no previous experience of officiating necessary.

The event will show off a new side of the game with refereeing-based games part of the introduction on the night.

Harriet Crump, aged 16, started refereeing around eight months ago.

“As a young female, seeing so many strong women before me doing things like this and the idea that I would be able to boss people around gave me a lot of confidence to go ahead, and become a rugby referee,” she said.

“Since I began refereeing, I have seen my confidence grow and find I am constantly learning new things on the pitch that I can apply to my life at school and elsewhere.

“ I would definitely recommend becoming involved in refereeing as the skills you can learn and improve will help you throughout your life.”

The RFU say the past-time encourages the development of mental strength, leadership, concentration and communication skills. It also can also help people have balanced, active and social lifestyle.

Leonie Pryor, North Midlands Referees Society development squad member, is another who has seen the benefits of making the transition to refereeing, having previously played the game.

“After retiring from rugby due to injury, I soon wished I was back involved in the game and made the decision to take up refereeing,” she said.

“Since I began refereeing, I have found it has given me an extra layer of confidence that leaves me unfazed by a variety of situations that ordinarily I would have found very uncomfortable.

“Refereeing has given me so many amazing experiences that I would never before thought possible.

“As a referee I have had the opportunity to be an assistant referee for the women’s U18s England v Scotland game and experiencing two days at Twickenham where I shadowed the professional match officials during their normal routines.”

If you wish to take the first step towards refereeing games of rugby and wish to attend the Bolton taster event, contact Claire Antcliffe at claireantcliffe@rfu.com or visit the Inner Warrior page to sign up.

Further information can also be found at www.keepyourbootson.co.uk, the RFU’s campaign to encourage those within the sport to move into refereeing following the culmination of their playing career.