Cassie Watt, a true Southland rugby success story

Just 14 years ago Cassie Watt wasn't aware what a knock-on was in rugby, now she is an international referee in what's been a remarkable journey.

Southland rugby referee Cassie Watt, right, with her fellow officials in Dunedin for the women’s test between England and Canada.

I’ve followed Cassie Watt’s journey for a while now. I’ve written a couple of stories on Cassie over the years.

She really is a true advertisement as to why becoming a rugby referee has plenty of upsides, despite the obvious pressure that is now lumped on those with a whistle in hand.

Her refereeing journey is also an example of how far rugby has come, in terms of embracing females in all corners of the sport in what previously was a male-dominated field.

On Friday night in Dunedin, Cassie Watt made her international debut as a rugby official.

She was an assistant referee for the England-Canada women’s fixture.

It’s how far Cassie has come that makes this story so special and outright inspirational.

It’s a credit to her determination and a credit to everyone involved in the Southland rugby community for helping get the Myross Bush school teacher there.

Cassie got involved in rugby refereeing in 2009.

By her own admission, at that point, she didn’t even know what a knock-on was. She stepped well outside her comfort zone by signing up to give it a go.

She decided to take up refereeing 14 years ago for some exercise, and also as a way to meet new people.

Her first game as a referee in 2009 was at under-10 level where she shadowed Rugby Southland’s then referee development officer Tony Kelly.

For the past 14 years, Watt has showed an impressive amount of stickability to first learn the game and then to develop into a referee that has smashed down some supposed barriers in Southland.

By 2014 she was already making history when she became the first woman to referee a senior men's final in the province, which was at the division-two level.

Two years on she stepped up a grade to division one, before in 2022 she achieved a 135-year Southland rugby first.

Cassie became the first female to referee a premier club rugby game in Southland.

That was a Star-Midlands fixture at Rugby Park which went by without a hitch.

Cassie was a pioneer in that moment, and it’s something she can forever recall proudly.

“It was a very special opportunity, and it just shows it can be done,” Watt told me at that time.

“The amount of people who messaged saying they were proud, and they were excited, I had a big support crew watching.”

While that Southland first prompted headlines, for Watt her special personal moment last year came when she officiated in the inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki women's competition alongside other female referees.

“Refereeing is a minority sport, and also being a female in rugby is even more of a minority. So having us all together, that was just so cool,” she said at the time.

That’s now been trumped by stepping into the international arena. Not bad for someone who knew very little about rugby about 14 years ago.

Reflecting on her debut, Cassie stated: “I am honored to have had the opportunity to make my Test Refereeing debut here in Dunedin. The experiences gained from officiating in these high-profile matches have been invaluable in my journey. I am deeply grateful for the support I've received from my colleagues, Rugby Southland, and the rugby community.”

Her remarkable journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring referees, educators, and women in sport. Her ability to excel both in the classroom and on the rugby field exemplifies her dedication and passion for the sport.

We salute you Cassie, well done.