Super Rugby gets it’s first female official

Australian Amy Perrett will make history on Saturday after being appointed assistant referee for the Melbourne Rebels and Stormers clash.

Australian Amy Perrett will make history on Saturday by becoming the first woman official at a Super Rugby game after being appointed assistant referee for the Melbourne Rebels and Stormers clash.

Perrett, a full-time professional referee, officiated in the women's Rugby World Cup final and is one of Australia's two representatives for the Rio Olympics.

“I am really proud to be given this honour this weekend and I certainly hope this opens the door for more women to officiate the top level across rugby,” the 25-year-old said in a statement.

“I am just focused on doing my job to the best of my ability and will be joining a fantastic team of SANZAAR referees right across Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina who referee Super Rugby week in and week out.”

Australian Rugby Union's head of referees Scott Young said he was “immensely proud” of Perrett.

“We hope this will open up a clear pathway for women in our game who want to be a part of rugby from an officiating capacity knowing that (like Amy) they can make it to the top of our sport,” he said.– AFP