Leading referee Jess Ling is determined to spread the word on how fulfilling a rugby life can be for a woman with a whistle in her hand.
Ling’s rapid rise through the ranks has hit a high over the past 10 months with her constant energy to review and improve.
Just 23, Ling has been immersed at the 2025 World Cup for women as an assistant referee in England, refereed her first Six Nations Test in Italy, officiated at the 50th Hong Kong Sevens and handled Super Rugby Women’s matches over that period.
A valuable showcase on the local front was refereeing the peak Bond University vs Wests women’s match in the Sumo Energy Founders Cup.
Her confidence and skill in all types of game situations has improved along with all the different experiences.
“Refereeing was something I fell into when I was still at school. I enjoy the challenge and working against myself to get better,” Ling said.
“There’s no game you are completely satisfied with every decision. That’s the thing about a team game like rugby. There are grey areas. It’s not played in slow motion and the moments aren’t cut up individually.”
Feeling comfortable and mentally calm in the middle of the action with so many 50-50 calls popping off is a sign of experience.
You also have to deal with the chatter of players on-field. It’s unlikely any female player has gathered the reputation of former Wallabies halfback George Gregan.
The late Andrew Cole, as a leading ref, wryly likened refereeing games with Gregan involved to refereeing in a train station such was the constant chatter from the captain.
Ling played rugby as a halfback for the Maroochydore Swans on the Sunshine Coast as a youngster when still at Immanuel Lutheran College.
She was invited to attend a women’s-only course on refereeing. She played and refereed for a time before switching to the whistle full-time.
It’s not a role you do standing still. Ling will run seven or eight kilometres in a game depending on the style of play.
“The review process is a huge part of it. Refs are coached like players. We’ll talk about certain on-field situations and build between games,” Ling said.
“As a ref, you work in a team of three with the two assistant referees. You’ll do an individual review as part of your prep and a review as a team of three.
“Being a touch judge at the World Cup in England last year and my first Six Nations Test as a ref for England-Italy were great experiences.
“At the World Cup, I saw how the top refs led their teams (of three)
“Officiating international rugby is really special because of how much it means to the players.
“It’s been a really exciting season of Super Rugby Women’s…a lot of close games.”
Ling is passionate about showing a path for new female refs. Sunshine Coast teen Jayla Larkin is a young female referee already showing enormous promise.
Ling is a strong believer in the Referee Ready Course, an introductory program which has some female-only options.
“The team that deliver the Ref Ready Course do an excellent job. The basics delivered well is a great starting point,” Ling said.
“I did one course as an educator at Wests and it’s a really positive first step to refereeing.
“Making sure a Premier ref is involved in the Match of the Round in the Founders Cup is a strong initiative.”
It has meant top refs like James Palmer, George Myers and Jeremy Markey officiating the best women's club games. It is a huge step in the growth of the competition.
The Queensland Rugby Union, through Match Official Development Officer Daniel Mangin, is running a number of initiatives. Apart from the Ref Ready Courses, there are the Junior Rugby Academy, the Student Match Official Program for Queensland Representative School Sport events and the Experienced Participant Transition Program (former players).
