WA refereeing legend takes the next step in her career

Wed, Nov 27, 2019, 2:26 AM
Rugby WA Media
by Rugby WA Media

Western Australian refereeing legend, Julie Skiba has stepped down from the WARURA Executive to take on a new role as the local referee liaison for visiting International and Global Rapid Rugby Referees.

Skiba who started refereeing in 1979 in New Zealand, joined the local Ref’s Association in 1981 marking herself as the first ever female referee in WA history.

After a small stint away, Skiba returned to refereeing whilst being in the role of Junior Coordinator at Kalamunda Rugby Club followed by taking up the role of Competition Coordinator in 2000 for the West Australian Junior Rugby Union.

Retiring from active refereeing in 2008, Skiba worked in all things administratively including creating and filling the Referee Administration Manager’s role from 2010 until 2018.

Throughout her time with the Referees Association, Skiba held many roles including coordinating appointments for Junior & Senior Referees, Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President and finally President of the Association.

For her wonderful voluntary efforts, Skiba has been awarded three rugby life memberships from RugbyWA Juniors in 2008, WARURA in 2010 and RugbyWA in 2013.

RugbyWA President Francis Williams thanked the accomplished referee coordinator for her long continuous service to WARURA.

“It is a significant loss to see her leave the ref’s association’s executive committee however it is also an exciting step forward in her rugby journey.”

“Julie has been an integral part of rugby in Western Australia for an extraordinary amount of time,” he said.

“Julie's service to the game she loves so much has been an inspiration and we are better for having her within our rugby community.”

“On behalf of the rugby community and RugbyWA I would like to thank Julie for everything that she has done for rugby in Western Australia and I hope that she leaves knowing that we are eternally grateful for her selfless service to our game.”

Her departure from the association was announced at the WARURA’s 2019 AGM, which was held on Monday 25th November.

RugbyWA and the RugbyWA community thank Julie for her service and are looking forward to keeping a close eye on her new endeavors.

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