NSWRL Junior Reps referee Olivia Lawne has her mother to thank in part for the pathway she chose as a young teenager, which has now led to a NRLW sideline debut this Sunday.
The 22 year-old has been named as touch judge for the Round Nine NRLW game between the Parramatta Eels and Canberra Raiders at CommBank Stadium on Sunday (22 September).
Her promotion comes just two weeks after she became the first female referee to handle a Parramatta district A Grade grand final.
Her time with the whistle harkens back to after she finished playing with the Winston Hills Tigers in the Under 12s, where she was the only girl in the team, and had to look for a new competition.
“I moved to a girls competition (Under 15s Baulkham Hills Bulls) and I started refereeing that year,” Lawne told nswrl.com.au
“My mum said ‘You’re only doing one, ref or play – I’m sick of driving you around’. So I chose refereeing for the extra pocket money.
“It all started from there. I just loved it more and more.”
NSWRL Major Competitions referees squad has several members officiating in NRLW games this season, including Karra-Lee Nolan, Billy Greatbatch, Ethan Klein, Daniel Luttringer, Brad Kiehne, Luke Saldern, Dillan Wells, Damian Brady, Clayton Wills.
But Lawne is the first to jump from Junior Reps into the NRLW. Former 300-gamer NRL referee Gavin Badger, who coaches the NSWRL Junior Reps match officials, delivered the news.
“I was a on a break (high school physical education teacher) and he rang and said ‘Usually a call on a Tuesday is bad news, but this is the opposite – you’re debuting this weekend’.
“I couldn’t believe it. I had a lot of work to finish but I took the rest of the day off because I was so excited I couldn’t concentrate.”
Lawne said she felt ready with the step-up into the elite women’s competition having to adjudicate on Origin and International players.
“I’ve done a few (NRLW) standbys throughout the season and that’s been useful. That made me think I was on the brink of actually stepping up into the on-field match official role.
“I’ve seen how it all works. And I’ve been refereeing Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership games – the level below – and I feel like I’m ready as I’m comfortable with the way I’ve gone in those matches.
“Being a P.E. teacher I’m pretty good at arguing with people under fatigue so I’ve got no issues with anyone wanting to chat.”
She also credits Nolan and former NSWRL Major Competitions – now NRL referee – Kasey Badger with providing the mentorship she needed.
“Karra-Lee and Kasey, and Belinda (Sharpe) and Gavin have been such great role models for me. It’s made it so much easier with those kinds of people supporting you and showing you the ropes.”
The best part of being a referee is the easy question.
“Just being out on the field so close to the action and having a say in how the game flows.
“I’ve always been a fan of Rugby League since I was a little kid. I played it, I watched it, pretty much obsessed with it.
“And now I still get to be involved through being a referee. It’s pretty cool.”
