Nicola Inwood (born 24 January 1970) is a rugby union referee and former player. She made her debut for New Zealand in 1989.[1] She competed at the 1991 Rugby World Cup.[2]

Nicky Inwood
Date of birth (1970-01-24) January 24, 1970 (age 54)
Height1.57 m (5 ft 2 in)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
Canterbury ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1989–1991  New Zealand 10

Career

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Inwood began her refereeing career in 1999, her first international match as a referee was between the United States and the Netherlands at the 2002 World Cup.[1] She also refereed at the 2006 and 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup.[3]

In 2007, she made history as the first woman to officiate a Six Nations women's match and the first woman to referee at Twickenham. The match was the curtain-raiser to the men's Six Nations, and was between the same nations, England and Italy.[4]

Inwood has also refereed women's sevens matches in Hong Kong and Wellington. She was selected to the International Rugby Board's first women's referee panel in 2011.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b Dawson, Mark (26 May 2012). "Women's rugby icon set to return". NZ Herald. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  2. ^ Pearson, Joseph (29 October 2021). "The trailblazing Black Ferns who were asked to pay to play at the first Rugby World Cup". Stuff. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Rugby: International recognition for Inwood". Otago Daily Times Online News. 10 March 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  4. ^ "Rugby: NZ female ref at Twickenham". NZ Herald. 10 February 2007. Retrieved 26 January 2022.