SUPER League is likely to get a woman’s touch with its first female referee.
And Tara Jones has been backed to handle the big, burly players she will be telling off, with a little trick.
The former St Helens women’s star, who only finished playing last year, has already taken charge of Championship matches and been a men’s top flight touch judge.
Now referees boss Phil Bentham believes she will be in the middle in 2026 after officiating the Women’s Super League Grand Final.
He said: “Tara’s gone from finishing playing 13 months ago to refereeing top-level Championship games. So, the rise is kind of unbelievable, really.
“There’s no reason whatsoever that she can’t referee men’s Super League in 2026. It’s just that final step is the biggest step.
“She’s just confident and we don’t treat her any differently in here and if I want a player’s perspective, I can go to Tara and get it from off her in a meeting.
“She’s brought that to the referees’ group. She trains with the guys. She does the same sessions. So she’s fully integrated.”
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Bentham revealed how Tara – born in Germany as her father was based there in the army – had to change her type of fitness after retiring from playing to match her fellow officials.
Now she is alongside her male colleagues when it comes to tats, expect her to make history, with one tip from her boss on handling the taller players.
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He added: “The players are developed for physical contact. Our guys, it’s all about the running and decision-making when you’re tired and those kind of things.
“She was built for tackling, absorbing impacts as opposed to running around completely for 80 minutes
“We had to get her up to speed, which took about three months. She’s at an excellent level now.
“And dealing with the taller players? Just use the same thing as I used to do because I’m only 5ft 8ins.
“Don’t stand too close to him and look up at him – give yourself a three-metre gap and you don’t do that.”
