For the first time in SLSRFR history, a rugby referee’s awareness program has been organized exclusively for female referees, to be held on 16th of September 2023 at the Havelock Sports Club. Although SLSRFR has had female representation in the past, participation has been limited, not exceeding 3-4 referees. With the growing global emphasis on equity, inclusion and eradication of gender bias, SLSRFR has stepped up to actively facilitate more females referees to enter the field, in alignment with World Rugby and Asia Rugby’s emphasis towards gender balance.
SLSRFR has recruited up to 30 female referees from across the island covering the Western, Central, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, North Central & Uva provinces to be a part of the event and comprise of current and former national and school level players. A few in this group have already taken the thunder whistle during the school’s league, Mercantile 7’s, Ritzbury Junior Rugby Carnival, and the Central and Southern province tournaments. SLSRFR President Dinka Peiris, thanked all those that were a part of the recruitment process and went on to make special mention of their corporate sponsor South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT), an organization that is committed towards female empowerment. SLSRFR will conduct this awareness program in partnership with SAGT and is to be followed by a World Rugby Match Officials Level 1 course in the near future.
