The rugby community in New South Wales is celebrating as Australian referee Ella Goldsmith has been appointed to officiate the bronze medal match at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in London, where New Zealand will face France.
Goldsmith’s appointment is a proud milestone for Australian refereeing and highlights the success of the pathways that NSW Rugby and the NSW Rugby Referees Association have invested in. It is the first time since 2014 that an Australian referee has been appointed to a Women’s Rugby World Cup medal match.
“This is a tremendous achievement for Ella, and it reflects the strength of refereeing development across Australia - including in NSW,” said Stuart Dickinson, President of the NSW Rugby Referees Association.
“We’re proud to have had a hand in her journey, from her early days in local competitions to the international stage. Her appointment to a World Cup medal game shows that the pathways we invest in can lead to world-level opportunities.”
Dickinson added that increasing the number of qualified match officials in NSW is a core focus of the Association and NSW Rugby.
“A key pillar of our strategic plan is referee recruitment and retention. We want more people involved in officiating, whether that’s refereeing minis on a Saturday morning or aspiring to follow in Ella’s footsteps on the international stage. Her success sends a strong message to new referees that there’s no ceiling on where this role can take you.”
Peter Murphy, CEO of NSW Rugby Union, also praised Goldsmith’s achievement and tied it directly to NSW Rugby’s wider strategic ambitions.
“On behalf of NSW Rugby, we congratulate Ella on this incredible milestone,” Murphy said.
“One of the pillars of our strategic plan is to increase the number of referees across the state. Strong officiating is essential for a strong game, and Ella’s appointment demonstrates the standard we can reach when we provide clear pathways, training and support for our officials.”
Murphy noted that growing referee numbers is about more than filling fixtures - it is about strengthening the whole rugby ecosystem.
“Referees are the unsung heroes of our game. Investing in their development is vital to ensure rugby in NSW remains inclusive, fair and sustainable. Ella’s journey shows how far dedication and the right support can take you, and we hope her success inspires the next generation of referees to pick up the whistle,” Murphy added.
Goldsmith has officiated in six matches in this year’s tournament, including acting as assistant referee in the New Zealand v Canada semi-final. Her bronze final team includes Kat Roche (USA) and Sara Cox (England) as assistant referees, Quinton Immelman (South Africa) as TMO, and Ian Tempest (England) as the Foul Play Review Officer.
As the NSW rugby community rallies behind Ella, her achievement shines a spotlight on the critical role of match officials - and NSW Rugby’s commitment to growing their numbers as a foundation for the future of the game.
