Aurélie Groizeleau: 'You have to realise that referees are still human'
On March 8, it was International Women’s Day. While millions of people marked it in various ways around the world, for French rugby referee Aurélie Groizeleau, it was another day at the office, overseeing the ProD2 match between Colomiers and Mont-de-Marsan.
She has been quietly going about the business of being the first – and so far only – female referee in the country’s second tier, and has her eye firmly on making history by repeating the feat by making the step up to the Top 14.
The 35-year-old La Rochelle native is among the refereeing team for this year’s Women’s Six Nations. She is also a pioneer in her field, and is happy to be seen as a role model for young girls and women in the sport.
“I’m the first woman to have a professional contract with the French Rugby Federation and to have refereed at a World Cup as a central referee,” she said.
“Little by little, things are moving forward, the position of women is progressing. If I take the example of Stéphanie Frappart in football, who is now in Ligue 1 and one of the best referees in the world, it’s true that sport, at least today, is opening its doors.
“I tell myself that, maybe, I’m breaking down doors and that those who come after me will have an easier path to progress in refereeing.”
Groizeleau turned to refereeing in 2009 after an injury ended her playing career. She is into her third season in the ProD2, having worked her way up the ranks, and said overall the reaction to her has been positive.
“Many of my colleagues have supported me and still support me today,” she said. “We’ll never stop people, you know, who are jealous, from criticising me because they might think I got this position because I’m a woman.
“In France that’s not the main criterion – it is to perform well on the pitch and I think that’s what helped me get into ProD2. You can’t referee in the professional sector just by being a woman, it won’t work.”
Colleague and friend Hollie Davidson made headlines this year for becoming the first female assistant referee in a senior men’s Six Nations match. But, while Groizeleau has nothing but admiration for the Scot, she finds inspiration elsewhere.
“For me, Joy Neville was the precursor of women’s refereeing. I admire what Hollie is doing because you have to realise that being the only woman in a group of men like that, it’s not a simple or easy thing to do.”
Naturally, the conversation turns to her own ambitions and the French Top 14, where it appears she still has work to do to be a central referee – though she has been an assistant.
“Today, you really have to dominate the ProD2 to feel comfortable in the top flight. I think I’ve still got some things to learn so that, one day, I will make the grade.”
For the moment, focus turns to the Women’s Six Nations. Groizeleau was in action on the opening weekend in Parma, when Italy welcomed current champions and hot favourites England.
Speaking about her preparations for the tournament, she said: “There’s the physical part, of course, with several training sessions a week. I also talk with a mental coach because refereeing matches in English requires a lot of mental energy. I have to be prepared to deal with that without creating extra fatigue.”
The Women’s Six Nations has drawn increasingly bigger crowds in recent years, potentially opening up the tournament’s refereeing teams to more harassment, both on and off the pitch.
“It’s happened to me,” she said. “In the end, it comes mainly from the public, there is very little from the players or the coaching staff.”
“You get the impression that the public come to the edge of the pitch to let off steam and free themselves from the tensions of their working week. That may be so, but at the same time, they allow themselves certain liberties in what they say, which can sometimes be a bit harsh.”
Groizeleau acknowledges the efforts to stamp out abuse aimed at referees, saying: “We’ve seen a lot of clubs putting out press releases recently on social networks, asking their fans to be much more respectful towards referees and opposing clubs. Because, let’s face it, this is a strong value that has always existed in rugby. It’s a shame that we’re reaching excesses today that we’ve never seen before.
“Some people say it’s an evolution in society. I find that hard to understand. For me, it’s just a mark of respect. We don’t accept other people’s mistakes these days and [fans are] even very hard on their players. You have to realise that referees are still human: that we’re not infallible and that we try to limit mistakes but they can still happen.”
Groizeleau resolutely backs the use of the fourth official and technology to support the referee in the centre of the pitch. “It can really help in situations that are a little dubious or to help clarify things, either to reassure us and say ‘no there’s no problem’, ‘it’s the right decision’, or for me to check something.”
While the support system helps existing referees, the reality is there aren’t enough match officials to go around. According to the latest figures, there is a shortage of around 200 referees in French rugby, though regional ‘discovery’ competitions are trying to engage more teenagers nationwide.
Groizeleau thinks the clubs are also crucial to boosting recruitment. “It’s true that we need people to take up refereeing,” she said. “We need to be closer to the clubs and the game. In other words, we need to stop making referees separate from the pitch.
“If you are involved in your club, it might help to get the message across and encourage other people in the club to take up refereeing. That’s where the human side of passing on your passion to others comes in.”
She may not yet have what it takes to referee in the Top 14 (though it’s only a matter of time), but passion for what she does is one thing the quietly spoken Groizeleau does not lack. She’s fiercely proud of everything she has achieved to date.
“I wanted to pursue a career as a player but couldn’t. I ended up pursuing a career as a referee, experiencing incredible things, travelling the world, meeting lots of people. There are very few of us who can make a living from our passion, so it’s an important thing,” she said.
“I tell myself that I’m not yet at the end of my road and that I’ve still got lots of great things to experience and to share.
“For me, what’s important is that, over and above my personal project, it’s also a family project. It’s important that I have the support of my partner and my daughter, who fully share my passion.”
Groizeleau featured again in the Women’s Six Nations as assistant referee for England vs Wales last weekend, and will take charge of the penultimate-round clash between England and Ireland at Twickenham on 20th April.
Comments on RugbyPass
Etsebeth is right about 1 thing. Boks after winning a RWC have been crap. Only in 2009 did they reach the heights of what a RWC Champion should look like but that was only after 3rd/last in the TriN 2008. Lost a home series in 1996 (vs ABs); didnt win even 1 x Rugby Championship after 2019. ABs and Wallabies and England at least played like Champions after winning RWC.
31 Go to commentsCrusaders will knock one of the top seeds out in the first round, hope it’s not my Chiefs
24 Go to commentsEben really seems like just a deeply unpleasant man.
31 Go to commentsDMac. BB crabs too much at 10.
2 Go to commentsIt is every boys dream to be a Springbok. I managed it in a discipline other than rugby…But rugby, I have always engaged with passion. It does my old heart good to see the mix of people in the team and this displays the possibilities for this wonderful country. The logo “stronger together” says it all. This current edition of the Boks is nothing short of inspirational.
2 Go to commentsIrish people about the best damn people on the planet. OK, in the NH. Fijians are the World’s best happiest friendliest people. But as far as European cultures producing good people, Ireland stands alone. But on the rugby pitch there is a creeping arrogance that has detached from humility. eg Sexton abusing a match referee, and not for the 1st time. He was extremely lucky to make it to the RWC, strings were pulled. And O’Mahoneys sledge to Cane was lowballing, attacking an opposition Captain seems opportunistic and gutter talk. Cane is a real gentleman. Have never seen ABs unleash after the whistle like they did on O’Mahoney after QterF, it was well deserved. Unlike Bok supporters, the Bok players understand history. Massive amount of respect between Boks and ABs is evident, they get on well and have throughout history. Even Pinetree Meads best mate (except his old cobber Kel Tremain) were Springboks, friendships forged after tours. And Meads was always targetted given his star status (he even played 2 x Tests with a broken arm). On the contrary, ABs and Wallabies famously dont get on, bad blood after Aussies not taking offer of beersies postmatch.
31 Go to commentsHaha god NZ journalism is so crap listen to this guy “We’ll be proven in a few weeks if our baseless bs can stick” lol Everywhere else uses experts to write stuff but here they’re just career guys that don’t care about what they write, NOT CONCEDED A TRY IN YEARS lol > “Naturally, you’re looking for performance, sometimes that means you can’t think logically or use evidence to arrive at any sort of clarity of decision. Pretty much sums it up to a tee Paul ignores the articles in here about then runs off each team this year, that Penney is just a yearly stop gap until, who, Ellison is released by ABs, the huge imbalance of the injury front between teams at each end of the table, or who it was that _should_ have been coach. But of course if they actually do evidence and investigative work theyre shy of their article not hitting that sensationalism boundary and lose revenue. Leaving us non the wiser. They look like they would have been best with a geeup coach this year to turn around the razorless depression the clubs obviously going through. Hard to think of someone fitting the Bill to have been chosen instead, the clown Cheika? Id have been tempted to double play and entice O’Gara down. Hell maybe that is who they are waiting for, he wants a international gig and it could be after Scmidt or razor
24 Go to comments_Dan Carter weighs in on who should be Scott Robertson's All Black 10_ Dan: “It’s a toss up between Beudy and Dmac, although Mounga would be nice - but he can’t… so…” The Rugby Public: “Thanks Dan. For nuthin!”
2 Go to commentsEngland did this way back for the Croke Park match in the 2000’s. The shame actually seemed to weigh on them during the match. It will not be easy for Northhampton players to rationalize how their army went into a stadium of a major city of the then United Kingdom and opened fire indiscriminantly into terraces killed 14 and wounding scores. I am sure with a pro setup they will get this balance right. I live beside the stadium. A very old woman on the street remembers as a very young girl the crowds of people filling the street to escape the massacre. A lot of water under the bridge and the match has really little historical relevance for Irish/Leinster supporters any more. Those ghosts were freed in the trashing of England in the 2000’s match. Sure, it will motivate Leinster but Northhampton should not overly consider it or weigh on it in my opinion. Dowson is right to learn the historical importance and Northhampton are indeed giving the occasion due respect. It is important to show respect. But that’s enough for Northhampton. Fair play to them. On to the rugby now.
15 Go to commentsDouble World Cup Champions ? Wow since when did 4 become 2!
211 Go to comments“See you in the final” from a winning (Irish) team is just away of wishing a team well for the rest of the tournament. It’s actually saying I hope we both make it to the final. Etzebeth was the only player who PUBLICLY said that his team would make the final after that match. Does anyone honestly think Ireland who took 100 years to beat NZ and got hammerred by them in 2019 would for the slightest moment not take the perilous threat as seriously as it should be taken? Getting sick of Boks and Kiwis who spend all year every year trying boasting about how great and humble they are and then accusing others of arrogance. Respect people by trying to understand them before hitting a pretty humble people with this crap.
31 Go to commentsThe feelings of gratitude I feel when thinking about the Boks is difficult to describe. It really means a lot to people here. I would flat out ask Ox for a big hug if I met him in person. And then probably pass out after the squeeze. Totally worth it.
2 Go to commentsFarrell seems to be an outstanding coach and Ireland a very well prepared team. But they looked like they had no plan B against NZ. Maybe they really were looking past them, as Eben says.
31 Go to commentsMaybe if you come once in your life in France you won’t writte so much nonsense 🙃
1 Go to commentsWhy did they kill 14 people at a gaelic football match? What had happened earlier that day? Dowson sounds absolutely pathetic, believing what the Irish say about his people, rather than believing what his people say about the Irish.
15 Go to commentsI haven't really experienced the Irish as arrogant but I guess the players maybe got ahead of themselves after a big win. Just thought it being Ireland and their love afair with WC QF exits and it being the ABs maybe they would have taken it a bit more seriously. Maybe they did and just lost anyways, who knows.
31 Go to commentsNot surprising, they tend to get very carried away with themselves very quickly. I’ve never seen a team so devastated at the final whistle than those irish players in that QF, you’d think they had lost the final.
31 Go to commentsJust a roundabout way of claiming to great fun. Self -praise is no praise, frenchie.
1 Go to commentsIreland have played the ABs since the first game 1905 a total of 37 times. The ABs have won 32 and Ireland 5 times. If we look since the first WC, then they have played each other 28 times. All Ireland’s 5 wins have come since 2016. So the ABs won 23 games. Since Ireland won their first game in 2016, they have won 5 and the ABs 4 times. Fairly even. Whatever anyone says, beating ABs consistently is bloody difficult, and when you manage to win a few, show respect to them. Period.
211 Go to comments‘Mom'.
1 Go to comments