Page 12 - Grassroots Issue 1 - January/ 2016

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It's not the easiest job in the world. In fact, premier women's
it is far from being easy at all. footy.

Dedication, health, the ability to make quick She was also selected
decisions - not to mention being thick t o j o i n t h e N Z R L
skinned. referees elite academy.

"A tough and gruelling job" some have "When you're on the field, you're not only
called it. But someone has to do it, and more proving that you're a female, but that you
women are putting their hands up to get the know the rules and you can keep control.
job done - Antoinette Grootjans is one of "I've got the power, I've got the whistle, so
them, a Rugby League Referee. they have to listen to me.
Antoinette Grootjans has her sights on "Generally when they're raging its heat of the
becoming the first female to referee an NRL moment, so I stay calm because they're
game. She is determined to make it to the going to bounce off me.
top.

After a phone call to John McKeown, "I want to be known as a good referee," she
Auckland Rugby League's former Referees says.
Development Officer, her plan to tackle the You can read/ watch Antoinette's story here:
big league was underway. http://www.maoritelevision.com/news/sport/
"He told me to bring a whistle and boots and native-affairs-summer-series--game-changer
that was that," she says.

"I was terrible, I was shocking, but I was
away."

In her third year as a referee, Antoinette had
refereed school games, premier men's and

2016Issue 1 - January /