Female referee on verge of making NRL debut

Belinda Sleeman has taken a step closer to achieving her dream of refereeing an NRL fixture after being appointed to officiate a trial match.

Sleeman made her touch judge debut at Leichhardt Oval back in 2014 and has gone on to sideline more than 60 NRL games.

She was the first female match official in a Rugby League World Cup in 2017 and is a weekly referee for the Queensland Cup competition while working in the NRL on a part-time basis.

Sleeman will referee Saturday night’s trial match between Brisbane Broncos and Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

“It’s an opportunity to test myself at the nevel level and I’m really looking forward to it,” Sleeman told NRL.com.

“This is s step in the right direction for me and the goal of one day taking control of an NRL game.

“That’s always the goal for everyone at this level. It’s a nice way to start the season off.”