Three young Counties Manukau rugby referees have received a surprise gift after the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

World leading referees in the women’s game have surprised local referees Liv Munro, Cheyanne Beukman and Amelia Llewelyn with gift packs to encourage them to continue their involvement in the game.

The gift packs included a uniform, back-pack and handwritten letters from some of World Rugby’s most renowned female referees.

The gifts were well received and there are some excited young referees feeling rather inspired at the moment.

“Liv got an amazing surprise yesterday,” said her Mum Alana. “Thank you for putting her name forward for this, she absolutely loves it and was blown away by the note from Amber [leading World Rugby whistleblower Amber McLachlan].

“She was keen to become a professional referee before but after the RWC it’s now even more cemented for her! She met up with Lauren [former Counties Manukau leading referee Lauren Jenner] at the final as well and they had a good chat.

“Thanks for the support around the girls this year.” 

The female game is the fastest growing both in terms of playing but also in refereeing with the exposure and focus area from NZR and World Rugby.

Anyone interested in becoming a referee should reach out to CMRFU Referee and Community Rugby Projects Manager Brandon Roberts via brandon.roberts@steelers.co.nz.