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New Zealand Rugby Women Referee Scholarship 2025: Empowering Female Officials in Rugby

Applications Now Open for the Groundbreaking Women’s Referee Program

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has officially announced the launch of applications for the 2025 Women’s Referee Scholarship, an initiative designed to empower women in rugby officiating. Following the resounding success of its inaugural edition, this program aims to provide aspiring female referees with the tools, mentorship, and opportunities to excel at the highest levels of the sport.

If you’re a female rugby player or an aspiring referee eager to transition into officiating, this scholarship presents an unmatched opportunity to fast-track your career under expert guidance.

A Pioneering Initiative for Women in Rugby

With the rising popularity of women’s rugby, the demand for elite referees has never been higher. The Women’s Referee Scholarship was launched to address this need while supporting women in their journey to officiating excellence.

Maggie Cogger-Orr, Women’s Referee Development Manager at NZR, expressed excitement about the continued impact of the program:

“The opportunities in women’s refereeing are massive at the moment, and it’s been inspiring to witness the rapid progress of our first cohort. We are excited to support the next group and see what they can achieve.”

The first group of scholarship recipients, including Chloe Sampson, Kaitlin Bates, and Krysten Cottrell, proved how seamlessly athletes can transition from playing to refereeing, setting a strong foundation for future scholarship winners.

Scholarship Benefits: What’s in Store for Recipients?

The 2025-2026 Women’s Referee Scholarship is a fully supported program tailored to elevate participants’ refereeing skills through:

✅ Elite Coaching & Mentorship – One-on-one training with top rugby refereeing professionals.
✅ Remuneration & Financial Support – Assistance to ease the transition from playing to officiating.
✅ Officiating Opportunities – Exposure to high-level rugby competitions, including provincial, Super Rugby, and international tournaments.
✅ Flexible Learning Pathway – A customized program that allows active players to continue competing while training as referees.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible for the New Zealand Rugby Women’s Referee Scholarship 2025, applicants must:

✔️ Be female rugby players or aspiring referees eager to officiate professionally.
✔️ Show passion for rugby and a commitment to personal and professional growth.
✔️ Be based in New Zealand and available for training and officiating responsibilities.
✔️ Have experience in competitive rugby (playing or officiating) at club, provincial, or higher levels.

How to Apply & Deadline

? Application Deadline: Tuesday, March 18, 2025
? Apply Here: NZ Rugby Women’s Referee Scholarship Application

Don’t miss this golden opportunity to be part of a trailblazing initiative shaping the future of women’s rugby officiating! Apply today and take the first step toward an exciting career in rugby refereeing.