I’LL IGNORE ALL THE HATERS

BELINDA Sharpe is ready for the gender vitriol and spite but won’t let it take her mind off the job at hand.

“I know people will have their opinions about me being out on the field but I can’t let any of that affect me,” she said.

Sharpe will become the first female to referee an NRL game in rugby league’s 111-year history when she officiates in tomorrow night’s match between Brisbane and Canterbury at Suncorp Stadium.

And in the lead-up to kick-off, the rugby league pioneer will steer clear of the online criticism that has already begun.

“I try not to read anything on social media,” Sharpe said. “People are always going to have their opinions. I try to not to focus on what anyone else thinks.

“Once you’re out in the middle, you don’t hear a lot of criticism from the crowd and that’s probably a good thing.

“Times seem to be changing in recent years. With the introduction of the NRLW last year and women’s State of Origin, people have become more accustomed to seeing more females in the game and they are enjoying it.

“Times are changing and people are coming around to the way the game is evolving.

“I don’t know if I’ve hit too many barriers along the way. I suppose it has been challenging in that there haven’t been any females at this level before. Everything seems to be new or a first.

“At training every day, I’m just seen as another referee and that’s certainly the way we like it to be.

“I don’t think I receive any more or less (criticism) than any other official but not anything necessarily towards my gender.”

NRL coaches yesterday said Sharpe would be under pressure at Suncorp Stadium.

“She has to be judged and scrutinised just like any male referee,’’ one coach said. “I don’t think coaches will go easy on her if she makes a mistake just because she’s a female.”

Sharpe didn’t feel she would be analysed any differently to the men.

“I don’t think there will necessarily be any more scrutiny than any other referee,” she said.

“I don’t want to think there is any more or less pressure on me doing my job than any other official.

“It’s important to know I have been put there to do a job and that’s what I have got to do.

“What I do know is there has been a lot of support in the last 24 hours and most people genuinely want to see you do well.”

Sharpe will referee alongside the experienced Ben Cummins.