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Media caption,Tara Jones discusses making Super League history
ByBen Ashton, BBC Sport England and Phil Salt, BBC Radio Merseyside- Published50 minutes ago
It has been quite the week for Tara Jones.
At the beginning of it, the 29-year-old met with Prince William at Windsor Castle to receive an MBE for her services to rugby league.
And by the end of it, she will have made history by becoming the first woman to referee a men's Super League game.
Jones has officiated since the age of 12 alongside a successful playing career for St Helens and the England national team.
She will take charge of Wigan Warriors' clash with Huddersfield Giants on Saturday, 28 March.
"It's all been a little bit crazy the past few days," Jones, who grew up in Warrington, told BBC Radio Merseyside.
"It's been such an honour to put rugby league at the forefront and pave that way, but to be recognised personally for the work I've done both playing and refereeing, it's been really nice and lovely to celebrate."
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Tara Jones is the first woman to be appointed to the Rugby Football League's full-time match officials group
Jones said she began officiating when she was no longer able to play rugby league with boys after coming to the end of an under-11s season.
"I went over to a girls' team and back then the opportunities for girls to play rugby were few and far between," she said.
"It's much better now but that's why I went into officiating, because I was a bit stubborn and I was told I couldn't do something within the sport I love.
"I was like, I will find a different avenue and no one is going to tell me I can't be involved in this sport at the top level in the boys' side of it.
"So I decided to go into officiating and I haven't looked back."
As a player, Jones won a Women's Super League title, two League Leaders' Shields and four Challenge Cups before retiring in 2024.
She has been refereeing in the men's game for a year and said the players "just see me as another referee".
"I think the biggest problem they have, is what do they call me?" she said.
"I get that question every week and I find it quite funny. I understand they're used to having male referees and they always address them as 'sir'.
"They are only trying to be respectful. I just tell them to call me 'ref' or 'Tara' and if they do call me 'sir' because it's habit, then don't worry about it.
"I'm not offended because I know they're trying to be respectful and do the right thing."
Jones said she hopes she can be a "trailblazer" for young women in rugby league.
"I try to be and I want to be - I just do what I do and I hope I can inspire young girls," she added.
"Just this week I've had a message from a young girl who has just started refereeing to say that I've inspired her to try it and give it a go.
"That means a hell of a lot to me."
