The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs has welcomed the news that the National Rugby League (NRL) has appointed Belinda Sharpe and Kasey Badger, who will make officiating history in Round 27 as the first females to referee in the NRL under the single referee system.
The Bulldogs have been firm supporters of equity in the game at all levels and see this appointment as a great stride forward for women in the sport:
"Over the past twelve months our Bulldogs Academy has grown to include pathway programs across all NSWRL premier female competitions and we are diligently working towards inclusion in the next NRLW competition expansion," said Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton.
"Our vision is to have more females represented across all levels of the game and with the announcement of Kasey to referee our match on Sunday, we are thrilled that young females watching at the ground or from home, can look up to her and be inspired to get involved with rugby league. This is a momentous occasion and one our Club proudly welcomes."
Sharpe will referee in the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Wests Tigers match at 4 Pines Park on Friday, while Badger will referee the Bulldogs game in the Gold Coast when we meet the Titans for the second time of the season at Cbus Super Stadium.
Match: Titans v Bulldogs
Round 27 -
home Team
Titans
14th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
15th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
While Sharpe has officiated under the two-referee system previously, the appointments will represent the first time female match officials have operated under the single-referee system in NRL history.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo congratulated Sharpe and Badger on a momentous achievement.
“I congratulate Belinda Sharpe and Kasey Badger for making history with these appointments,” Mr Abdo said.
“Kasey and Belinda are professionals and have shown dedication and discipline in their development. This is an historic moment for them and for the game.”
Sharpe refereed eight matches under the two-referee system, while she has been a touch judge in 195 NRL games. Sharpe refereed women’s State of Origin matches between 2019-2023, and the NRL Telstra Women’s Premiership Grand Final in 2020 and 2021. She was also a Rugby League World Cup official in 2017 and 2022 – refereeing the men’s World Cup match between England and Greece and the women’s World Cup Final between Australia and New Zealand in 2022.
Badger has been touch judge in 161 NRL matches, and has also officiated as a Bunker Review Official in 43 matches. Badger refereed the NRL Telstra Women’s Premiership Grand Final in 2018, 2019 and 2022, and also refereed the men’s World Cup match between Tonga and Wales in 2022.
NRL Executive General Manager – Elite Football Graham Annesley said both Sharpe and Badger deserved to make history together.
“Kasey and Belinda have both been exceptional officials and it’s so pleasing that they have both continued to develop so well,” Annesley said.
“As pioneers, they have had to deal with added pressure through their careers. But they progressed through the refereeing pathways diligently, and patiently waited for the opportunity.”
