West Yorks ref speaks out after opening up on sexuality
SUPER League referee James Child has expressed his delight with the reaction to his public revelations over his sexuality.
Child, 37 – who cut his teeth as a ref in Dewsbury and Batley, having grown up in Wakefield – addressed the subject for the first time on the BBC’s LGBT Sport Podcast, in which he revealed he has been the target of death threats and homophobic abuse.
The Yorkshireman, who began refereeing in Super League in 2009 and has been on the Rugby Football
League’s elite panel for the last 11 years, says he broke his silence in an effort to educate people and encourage respect and has been pleased by the initial response.
“I wasn’t quite sure what to expect but I’m delighted generally speaking that it’s been overwhelmingly positive,” Child said.
“I think the worst I’ve seen is indifference, which is absolutely fine.
“I get the view when people say it’s irrelevant because it is irrelevant in many ways. It’s all about what I do on the field.
“I think the message has been pretty well received and I’m happy about that.”
Child says he was prompted to open up to his fellow referees about 10 years ago following an incident in which he was homophobically abused by a coach.
A few years later, former Leeds full-back Zak Hardaker, now with Wigan, was given a five-match ban after being found guilty of homophobic abuse, allegedly calling Child a ‘f***ing f*g’ during the Rhinos’ defeat at Warrington.
Child is hoping he will be treated fairly by fans when they return to games later in the year.
“I guess the proof of the pudding will be when I go and do a game and make a decision people don’t like,” he said.