Female match officials to make history at 2010 Women’s Rugby World Cup

The sixth Women’s Rugby World Cup in England next year will be another landmark event in the history of Women’s Rugby.

Not only is the showcase fifteen-a-side tournament set to break new ground in broadcast and attendance figures, elevating the profile of the Women’s Game to new heights, but the International Rugby Board has announced that 10 of the world’s leading female referees will be included in the panel of 14 match officials for the tournament, which kicks off on August 20, 2010.

Experienced officials Sarah Corrigan (Australia), Clare Daniels (England), Joyce Henry (Canada), Lee Wing Yi Gabriel (Hong Kong), Dana Teagarden (USA), Sherry Trumbull (Canada) and Nicky Inwood (New Zealand), will be joined by David Keane (Ireland), Andrew McMenemy (Scotland), Sébastien Minery (France) and Javier Mancuso (Argentina) within the selection of 11 referees.

In addition, the Match Official Panel will also feature three specialist Assistant Referees with previous Women’s Rugby World Cup match officials Debbie Innes (England) and Kerstin Ljungdahl (Germany) joined by Barbara Guastini (Italy).

“The selection of 10 female match officials represents the increasing depth of refereeing talent within international Women’s Rugby,” said IRB Referee Manager Paddy O’Brien.

“This selection represents a great opportunity for referees who have proven themselves on the Women’s international scene to showcase their ability in the world’s premier Women’s Rugby tournament. It will be a very exciting moment for the Women’s Game.”

With less than a year to go until the tournament kicks off in London, planning and preparation is on track to ensure that Women’s Rugby World Cup 2010 is a huge success, providing a global festival of international Women’s Rugby at its best.

“Women’s Rugby World Cup 2010 promises to be a special occasion. Fans attending the three-week event can look forward to competitive matches, superb venues and an attractive and innovative ticketing policy,” said IRB Women’s Development Manager Susan Carty.

“Women’s Rugby continues to go from strength to strength around the world and today’s announcement clearly highlights that it is not just on the playing side where significant advances are being made. The selection of 10 female match officials from eight Member Unions further underlines the development of the Women’s Game at all levels.”

The official Women’s Rugby World Cup 2010 website – www.rwcwomens.com – is now live, providing news, features, statistics and player information in the build up to and during the event.

For travel packages to England for the 2010 Women’s Rugby World Cup, go here.