Long wait for first, second right behind
Cassie Watt quashed many perceived barriers in May by ticking off a 135-year Southland rugby first. Now, just two months on, there is a second female referee set to join her.
Watt created history by becoming the first female to referee a premier men’s club rugby game in Southland.
But there won’t be another 135-year wait for the second; Georgia Mason has been appointed to referee her first premier fixture today.
It’s another significant step for the Rugby Southland Referees organisation as it pushes the message that the once male-dominated refereeing duty is actually for all.
Remarkably Mason has reached that premier club level in just her second year as a referee after making the transition from talented player to an official.
Mason, an openside flanker, began playing when was five, going on to play over 100 games for the University Club in Dunedin. She also lined up for Otago Spirit at provincial level, and at one point was a fringe Black Ferns player.
A knee injury put an end to her playing days and after joining Rugby Southland as a development officer she decided to help out by also picking up a whistle.
Mason has quickly emerged as one of Southland’s best referees and is now on the national radar, as is Watt.
She wasn’t expecting to find herself refereeing a premier men’s game so soon, but is excited about today’s Midlands and Pirates-Old Boys clash in Winton.
‘‘It’s definitely happened quicker than I thought, but my motto is to take an opportunity when it arrives and see where it takes you.’’
To have another supportive female referee like Watt to lean on had been a boost, Mason said, adding that the Southland referees organisation as a whole had been a great support.
‘‘As a player, I had Cassie as a referee, and she has probably been the one that’s always encouraging me and checks in to make sure we are all sorted for the week. She is there to build people up to be at the same standard as her.’’
The fact that after 135 years two female referees will have refereed in a premier fixture hasn’t been lost on the two. ‘‘Cass joked that she’s glad she managed to just get there [as the first],’’ Mason said.
Watt and Mason have both also been named in a New Zealand Rugby highperformance squad and are set to referee Farah Palmer Cup provincial games this season.
Rugby Southland Referees chairman Andrew Rowland said both Mason and Watt were great ambassadors for the organisation and for encouraging more females to get involved in the sport.
‘‘It’s a game is for everyone, regardless of whether you are playing or officiating,’’ he said.