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Super Rugby's first-ever female match official retires
By Sam Smith
Amy Perrett has ended her professional Rugby career on a high, winning the Sports NSW 2021 Official of the Year Award in Sydney earlier this week before today announcing her retirement from officiating the professional arm of the game.
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Super Rugby’s first-ever female match official, Perrett will continue working to grow the officiating space in Australia, transitioning into a game development role within Rugby AU, focusing on community and female match official growth and development around the country.
In a career spanning more than 10 years, Perrett has been a trailblazer for aspiring referees in the game, becoming the first female to officiate a Super Rugby match in 2020.
Among some of her most notable appearances, Perrett earned her 100th cap in the World Series in the final of the 2020 Sydney 7s competition and was in the middle of the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup final in Paris.
While still refereeing professionally, Perrett has been working on growing the participation numbers of referees around the country in the community game. The announcement comes with her commitment to stay in the game in this role.
On her retirement, Perrett said: “My years refereeing professionally have been some of the best in my life, every game was an opportunity and I’m just grateful so many were afforded to me.
“Officiating has taken me to so many amazing places around the world and I’ve been fortunate to meet some amazing people and have had some life-changing experiences, all while doing something I love.
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“It is going to be hard to walk away from the centre of the professional game, but I’m glad I can continue to help young aspiring referees achieve their dreams to one day officiate Test Rugby.
“I look forward to this next chapter in my career, spending time with my family all while continuing to help young match officials.”
Rugby Australia Chief Executive Andy Marinos said: “I’d like to congratulate Amy on both her recognition during the 2021 NSW Sports Awards, as well as for a remarkable career in professional Rugby.
“Amy is a world-class match official who has had a celebrated career in both formats of our game. Her quiet disposition yet steely resolve are qualities that have set her apart in the game. We have been fortunate to have Amy referee at the highest levels within our game both at home and abroad and through this has paved the way for any aspiring female official, and this is a contribution to our game which we can’t celebrate enough.
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“While it’s unfortunate to have one less Australian official on the world stage, we’re excited to keep her within Rugby and we will now work with Amy to manage a transition into the administrative side of the game as she continues her role within Rugby AU to help grow and nurture the talent base of match officials across the country.”
National Referees Manager Scott Young said: “While Amy’s departure is a huge loss to our national match official team, her continued contribution to referee administration and development is invaluable to game.
“Amy’s had a monumental career, one any young girl or boy can look to as inspiration when it comes to officiating professional Rugby within Australia, and around the world.
“On behalf of the match official community, I would like to wish her all the best with her retirement. I’m am looking forward to continuing to work with her in forging a robust and successful match official pathway.
“While Amy will not be in the middle of matches, she will be still working towards creating meaningful change within our game.”
