Katie Kilbane is in her thirteenth season of refereeing Rugby Union, and she still loves the game.
Katie’s journey with rugby began in University in Ireland, where the women’s game was growing, and numbers were still low. Despite having an interest in the game, her university years provided the first opportunity to get involved.
“I was hooked from that first season,” Katie said. “Some of my closest friends have come from being a part of rugby.”
Her journey with Rugby eventually led to picking up a whistle, but her journey as a referee didn’t begin in Union - it began in Gaelic Football.
“I had been refereeing GAA/LGFA [Ladies Gaelic Football] for a number of years by the time I started playing rugby,” she shared.
“A friend of mine who was already a referee sort of goaded me into it saying it was time I refereed a real sport. I decided to give it a crack, mostly to show I could referee better than he could!"
Now, Katie is a respected referee across two countries, having taken on one of the toughest roles in the game not just in Australia, but Ireland and internationally too. She was the Assistant Referee for the first Women’s Barbarian’s fixture; she refereed a women’s All Ireland League Plate Final. Before moving to Australia, she was a Timekeeper for United Rugby Championship and European Professional Club Rugby played at The Sportsground (now Dexcom Stadium) in Galway, where she met and worked with some of the top Match Officials in the game.
With all these incredible achievements in her pocket, Katie is also just as proud of a good game on the field.
“Honestly, any game where I come away feeling like I was able to contribute to the game positively and both teams walk away happy is a great day! I aim to go out and contribute to the enjoyment of the game.”
With Women in Rugby Round kicking off this weekend, it provides an important opportunity to spotlight the incredible women who make up the rugby community. With a small community of female Match Officials within the Western Australian rugby community, the expertise and dedication of individuals like Katie provide inspiration for the growing community.
With potential future referees seeing her take to the field, leading the way and making a massive impact on the game, Katie hopes girls and women see refereeing as another option to stay in the game, and excel.
"I came away from playing because of injuries, but I had been refereeing long before then,” she said, “There are opportunities for everyone, whether you want just a runout on the weekend or to try to get to the high of the National or International game.”
“One thing I have heard throughout my refereeing career, even as recently as last weekend is, ‘I've never had a female referee before,’ usually followed by, ‘Do we call you sir or ma'am?’ We always have a bit of a laugh.
“We need more girls and women in the game. WARURA has some fantastic female officials involved here in WA with some serious talent coming through.”
The impact of all referees cannot be understated – they are central to the game. But the role the visibility of female referees play is incredibly important, helping, “... The game to feel more accessible and inclusive which is only a positive,” Katie shared.
“Referees of either gender are hard to attract to the game, it is often a thankless and forgotten but crucial role in games going ahead. You regularly hear from players and coaches in the women's game, ‘It's great to have a female ref.’
“Girls and women have so much to contribute to the game, when you see the likes of Joy Neville and Holly Davidson who broke into the top levels of the men's game and are so highly respected, it just shows the depth of possibility out there.
“You can't be what you can't see was the campaign around visibility and promotion of female sports, and I think for each female official we see out at a game the better chance we have of attracting more women and girls to the game in general.”
Katie’s love for the game, her unwavering commitment, and her visibility on the field continue to pave the way for others. As a referee and role model, she’s helping shape a future where girls and women can see themselves in every part of rugby - including the middle of the pitch, whistle in hand.
Women in Rugby Round takes place this weekend, with all Junior Girls and Senior Women’s teams gathering at McGillivray Oval for a celebration of the women’s game. Games commence from 9:30AM.
Interested in becoming a referee? Visit the link to learn more.
