Referee Kasey Badger will make history when she takes control of proceedings between Wales and Tonga in St Helens on Tuesday morning [AEDT].
Badger will become the first female to officiate a men’s World Cup match and with help coming from touch judge Rochelle Tamarua- it will mark the first time in tournament history that two women have featured in a men’s match.
Badger overcomes setbacks to create history at World Cup
The decision to appoint Badger as the main ref for a men’s fixture came as a surprise to the woman herself, who is one of nine NRL officials to have travelled to England.
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“I nearly fell off my chair when they announced it,” Badger told The Sydney Morning Herald.
It caps a remarkable rise for Badger and a reward for her dedication after her future in the game was in question just three years ago.
Badger suffered from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, with a crushed nerve around her armpit causing significant pain down her right arm.
After several unsuccessful attempts to remedy the condition, she eventually had to have a rib removed to release the pressure off the nerve, while she also had to have surgery on her ankle after suffering with cartilage issues.
Badger sets her sights on becoming a main ref in the NRL
World Cup referees’ bosses Jared Maxwell and Steve Ganson delivered the good news to Badger when they announced which officials had been assigned to each match for the second week of action.
“They were talking about the appointments, started talking about creating opportunities and history being made and then they read my name out,” she said.
“I was shocked. I didn’t come over here expecting to referee in the men’s tournament, that’s for sure. These types of moments don’t come around often, but they are the reason you stay involved.”
Badger - who controlled the NRLW grand final between Newcastle and Parramatta - noted how she’d made the trip to the UK to work in both the men’s and women’s game but didn’t expect to be given the opportunity to make history.
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However, after being entrusted with the officiating duties in the Group D clash, she now has her sights set on becoming a permanent figure in the NRL.
“If I go out there and perform to my ability and referee the game well, it is just another thing that shows I have got what it takes and hopefully that adds a bit to my resume as a reason to kick on and get a start in the NRL eventually,” she said.
“It is just good for the game, and it shows where our game is getting to, which is good to see.”
