Dragons forward James Graham has revealed the unusual way he will address female referees ahead of Belinda Sharpe’s groundbreaking debut as the NRL’s first female referee.
Speaking on NRL360, Graham said he would refer to female referees as “Sir” because it has been drummed into him since he was playing Under 8s.
A long-time touch judge and referee for Women’s Origin and Queensland Cup, Belinda Sharpe will finally end the 111-year senior men’s shutout when she runs out to co-referee the Broncos vs Bulldogs match on Thursday night.
TAZZ
Roar Rookie
All Games of Thrones taught as is how to take a R rated show and turn it into a PG cesspool of political correctness that destroyed its legacy. Much like the WwE when it went from the attitude era to the PG. plus GOT with poor tv at best
BA Sports
Roar Guru
It all depends on whether he is calling her "ser", or "sir". If Game of Thrones has taught us anything (and it has), the term Ser is gender neutral....
TAZZ
Roar Rookie
No Doubt Belinda can do fine, but even a caveman can tell difference between a man and a woman, and address them accordingly. Well saying that this is the 21st century so who the hell knows anymore.
Soda
Roar Rookie
Lighten up tazz, he didn’t say anything that bad. The question from iken was ordinary and was wanting to put graham on the spot. When I played footy, we had a few female refs and we called them Sir and it was fine. Gender shouldn’t, doesn’t and won’t matter when it comes to refs. Well done to Belinda. She’s going to do fine.
TAZZ
Roar Rookie
Not surprised by this grubs reaction to a woman ref, first you refer to her as ma’am or miss. James Graham is the biggest, dumbest, illiterate moronic grub in the NRL. Just sack him already. Good for the young female referee, congratulations
Roger of Sydney
Guest
Good luck to Belinda, from what she says she has earned her position by going through exactly the same training as the blokes so she should get the same respect. A bit different from the quota girls who get the easy ride and do not get or deserve respect.. She will do well, she seems nobody's fool