URC reveal contenders panel to become 'next Hollie Davidson'

The BKT United Rugby Championship’s Head of Match Officials, Tappe Henning, admits that he has already drawn up a shortlist in the search to find the next Hollie Davidson.

In February 2018, Joy Neville broke the glass ceiling to become the first woman who take charge of a PRO14 when she refereed Ulster against the Southern Kings in Belfast, and Davidson has continued to carry the torch.

Henning, who played a role in Davidson’s development as Scottish Rugby Referee Commissioner, says the BKT URC have already identified female officials who they feel have the potential to continue in their footsteps.

“We in the URC have started our next challenge of where is our next Hollie coming from. We have a contenders panel, and we have identified girls within our territories.

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“We will give them attention over the next two to three years to see if they can reach the threshold where we are comfortable bringing them into our environment.

“We recognised our women referees are just as good in their decision-making and processes as the men are. They reached the physical pillar of demands for the games in URC, and we were pleased to explore.

“Joy was at the forefront of breaking into the men’s world, and Hollie has continued that to the point we have appointed her to a couple of our quarter-finals in the last two years.

Henning has backed Davidson, who has taken charge of the last two Women’s World Cup Finals and the European Rugby Challenge Cup final between Bath and Lyon in May, to referee at a men’s World Cup.

“Hollie is a special talent, and she has responded to all of the challenges put in front of her. She is growing into a referee who shows a lot of potential to reach a men’s World Cup as a referee.

“I fully believe that Hollie can go to a men’s World Cup, maybe the next World Cup in two years or maybe the one after that,” added Henning.