James Child

James Child (born 4 July 1983)[1] is a former English rugby league referee. He was one of the Rugby Football League's Full Time Match Officials.[2]

For the World War I flying ace, see James Martin Child.

James Child
Full name James Child
Born (1983-07-04) 4 July 1983
Dewsbury, England
Other occupation Surveyor
Domestic
Years League Role
2006-2009 Championship Referee
2010-2022 Super League Referee
International
Years League Role
2012-2022 IRL listed Referee

On 19 December 2022, Child announced that he would be stepping down as referee, ahead of the 2023 season.[3]

Referee career

James started refereeing at the age of 11 years as a member of the Dewsbury & Batley Rugby League Referees' Society.[4] Since then he has enjoyed many notable successes, particularly as a touch judge having officiated at the 2006, 2007 and 2008 Challenge Cup Finals, the 2007 and 2008 Super League Grand Finals and most notably the 2008 Rugby League World Cup Final.[5]

As a referee, his first professional game was Gateshead Thunder v Workington Town on 17 April 2006, before making his Super League debut on 15 March 2009 with Wakefield Trinity Wildcats v Catalans Dragons. This came a week after he officiated the Rugby League Varsity Match between Oxford University and Cambridge University at the Twickenham Stoop.

On 11 January 2010, he was promoted to the RFL's elite refereeing squad for 2010's Super League XV.[6]

In December 2022, Child retired as a match official after more than 10 years.[7]

Personal life

He is a member of the Dewsbury and Batley Rugby League Referees' Society.[8][9]

He combines his role as Super League referee, with a part-time job as a Chartered surveyor for Leeds City Council.

In February 2021, in an interview for BBC Sport, Child confirmed that he is gay, something known to his family, friends and colleagues for some time.[10][11][12]

References
  1. "The Rugby Football League". therfl.co.uk. Archived from the original on 26 October 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  2. "James Child blows time on outstanding career". www.rugby-league.com. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  3. "James Child to stand down as referee". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  4. "Dewsbury & Batley Rugby League Referees Society |". Freewebs.com. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  5. "RFL trio head to the Rugby League World Cup - 8th October 2008 SportFocus news". Sportfocus.com. 8 October 2008. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  6. "The Rugby Football League". Therfl.co.uk. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  7. "Rugby league referee James Child announces his retirement". The Independent. 19 December 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  8. Dewsbury society
  9. "Dewsbury 's Super League official James Child calls time on his refereeing career". Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  10. "'It's better to be who you are' - referee talks publicly about being gay". BBC Sport. 25 February 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  11. "James Child: Super League referee happy with reaction after speaking publicly about being gay". Sky Sports. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  12. "Rugby league referee James Child celebrates marriage to fiance Steven". The Independent. 18 June 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
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