Joy Neville: Our boat's engine broke down in the middle of the Amazon forest

In one year, we went to South America, Australia, Bali, and India

Sun, 10 May, 2026 - 15:45

Jennifer McShane

From captaining Ireland on the pitch to breaking barriers as one of rugby’s most respected referees, Joy Neville has travelled the world through sport. Now as head coach of Elite Women’s 15s Match Officials with World Rugby, she continues to shape the game globally, while drawing on a lifetime of experiences across
continents. Here, she shares the journeys that have stayed with her.

Favourite childhood holiday

I’m the youngest of four brothers, and for about a 10-year period every Christmas, Dad would surprise us with the paper tickets and we’d go to the Canary Islands for two weeks. We were very lucky. It was a special time because I adored the boys growing up, and it meant two weeks of solid attention, annoying them and just playing sports and being around family.

Every year we’d say, are we going? No, no, no — and then we’d be searching the house, tipping it upside down looking for the plane tickets. It stopped when the lads became teenagers, and some of the lads would stay at home and my youngest brothers, Dave and Paul, would continue to go, but I’ll always cherish those moments. And back then, I think everything was so easy and so simple.

Most memorable trip

We did the Inca Trail in Peru and the Amazon in Bolivia.

I travelled the world for a year in 2008 with my friends Patrick and Lisa, and it was a trip of a lifetime. We did three months in South America, two months in Australia, five months in New Zealand, then Bali and India. We did the Inca Trail in Peru and the Amazon in Bolivia. I remember being in the Amazon forest in a boat, and the engine broke down in the middle of the river, surrounded by mosquitoes. We had no communication, hiding under mosquito nets and had to paddle our way five hours downstream. But we got back to base camp and we were still alive to tell the story! That would definitely be the most memorable trip.

Most surprising destination

I would have to say Cape Town. I’ve been to South Africa a number of occasions, but Cape Town really surprised me. I love the culture, I love the people, and it’s just a pretty cool city to be in.

The vineyards help as well! I really do admire the love of the game by the South African people, and it’s just a beautiful country.

It’s definitely a place I fell in love with and I’d love to bring my family there.

Favourite city

It would be Rome. I love the people — I have to say that because I’m married to an Italian woman and my in-laws are Italian — but I love the madness of them, and I mean that in the best manner. They’re so humorous and expressive, and the food and the coffee are incredible. We honeymooned in Rome and Puglia, and it was just an amazing experience. If you visit Italy and look at how different the regions are, you can have so many different types of experiences, depending on where you go.

Favourite hotel

I have to say The Westbury in Dublin. I remember staying there when I was doing a talk, but the main reason it stands out is that that’s where my wife, Simone, proposed to me in 2014. We’re married over 10 years now, and it’s a memory I’ll always cherish. She did well!

Most memorable food experience

I’ve never tasted anything like the food in Japan

The first time I went to Japan, referring to the Sevens World Series, I loved it. The cleanliness,, the respect people have for their country and for each other but the food, I’ve never tasted anything like it. Japanese food there is second to none. I also have to say it’s second to my mother-in-law’s freshly made homemade pasta. Every Sunday, sitting down and having it one course at a time starting with the pasta — there’s nothing like it.

Favourite thing to do while travelling

I’m not one for museums, but I love the culture and experiencing different foods and restaurants. I prefer more outdoor, active things. I love sightseeing, but I’d rather be hiking, doing something sport-related, just seeing the city. Whenever I go anywhere, I bring my runners. It’s a great way to see a city, find new routes and come across different places like cafés or restaurants. I like to be out exploring as much as possible.

Bucket list trip

I’ve seen so much of the world, but now our son, Alfie, is nearly five, and I think he’s getting to the age where he can really enjoy travel and he’s beginning to fall into that category. The next Women’s World Cup is in 2029, and I’m currently working with match officials, so hopefully I’ll be going to Australia for that.

The plan is for Simone and Alfie to come over at the start, and then after the tournament, we’ll travel Australia, New Zealand, maybe Fiji and Bali before heading home – at that stage, he’ll be eight or nine. That’s definitely one for the bucket list. And maybe the Camino as a trio as well, but I think we’ll wait until he’s a bit older.

A regular contributor on the speaking circuit, Joy’s Keynotes & Firesides focus on leadership, diversity and inclusion, and breaking the mould in a male-dominated environment. Enquires: gemma@navyblue.ie