Belinda Sleeman set to become first female NRL trial referee
Belinda Sleeman is set to make some rugby league history when she becomes the first female to referee in an NRL trial match this weekend.
Sleeman, who has previously been a sideline referee in the NRL and is a regular referee in Queensland's Intrust Super Cup, said that the appointment was a step towards her ultimate goal.
"Everybody's goal at this level is to referee in the NRL," she said.
"This weekend I guess is another step closer to that for me. A really good opportunity to test myself on that level.
Sleeman has previously been a sideline referee in NRL matches as well as refereeing in Queensland cup competitions AAP
"Obviously the skill level goes up, the size of the players the speed of the game increases each level you go up."
Sleeman is no stranger to making history in the sport after becoming the first female to named as a referee at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
The debut at the World Cup came after Sleeman was named the referee in the 2017 Pacific Test between Tonga and Fiji.
