A ground-breaking year for referee Rebecca Mahoney has continued with an announcement from World Rugby that she will officiate in the 2019 Women’s Six Nations for the first time.
In a media release from New Zealand Rugby, they celebrated the news that a Kiwi referee will take charge of the Scotland v Wales and Italy v France fixtures of the Women’s Six Nations championship, in March next year.
She was elected to the list of match officials for the popular women’s rugby championship. Mahoney will join the likes of Joy Neville and leading referees from all Six Nations partners, and in 2019 this list includes Aimee Barrett-Theron from South Africa.
Rebecca Mahoney continues a year of ‘highlights’
The appointment adds more highlights for the former-Black Ferns players resume. An established referee in the NZ women’s rugby competitions, in 2018 she was the first woman to control a Heartland Championship fixture.
“Rebecca is a trail blazer; she demonstrates the pathways and incredible opportunities on offer not only for former players who pick up the whistle but anyone who gets involved in refereeing,” said New Zealand Rugby’s National Referee Manager Bryce Lawrence, who congratulated Mahoney on her appointment.
“These appointments are thoroughly deserved and top off what has been a fantastic year for Rebecca.”
“Being able to witness her development as a referee has been special, she is a hard working, committed member of our National Squad and it does not surprise us to see her named among the best female referee’s in the world.
World Rugby Match Officials selection committee chair Anthony Buchanan said the team of match officials appointed for the Women’s Six Nations Championship 2019 has a good blend of experience combined with six referees making their debuts in this competition.
“With the recent selection of New Zealand as hosts for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 we are already hard at work developing the pathway to unsure we have the most highly competitive and experienced squad of match officials possible in 2021, and the Women’s Six Nations Championship forms a key part of this preparation,” said Buchanan.
Standout Year for Women’s Referee
In 2018, Mahoney had a standout year of appointments; both domestically and on the International level.
Rebecca Mahoney’s list of accolades include:
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Officiating rugby sevens at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast
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Rugby World Cup Sevens pool match in San Francisco
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Match referee in charge of the 2018 Farah Palmer Cup Final
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Mahoney controlled two Test matches in Europe, including Ireland v USA
She was also one of three nominees for ‘Referee of the Year’ at the ASB New Zealand Rugby Awards.
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Scotland v Wales – Friday, March 8. Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow
Italy v France – Sunday, March 17. Stadio Plebiscito, Padova
“Main photo credit”
Embed from Getty Images
