Joy Neville to retire from officiating and join Connacht as Referee Development Manager

Joy Neville will  retire from officiating at the end of the current season.

NEW ROLE: Connacht Rugby have announced that Joy Neville will be joining the club as the new role as Referee Development Manager. Neville will retire from officiating at the end of the current season.

Connacht Rugby have announced that Joy Neville will be joining the club as the new role as Referee Development Manager. Neville will retire from officiating at the end of the current season.

In her new role, Neville will work with key provincial personnel to recruit, educate and retain referees and to provide for the needs of the game as well as developing referees from Trainee Referees to the National Panel.

Neville played with Shannon and UL Bohemians and went on to play for her home province Munster. She won 70 caps for Ireland and captained the side during the 2009 Women's Six Nations Championship leading the Ireland women to their first win over France. 

Neville also won a Women's Six Nations Grand Slam in 2013 and played in two Women's World Cups in 2006 and 2010.

After retiring from playing, the Limerick women came through the refereeing ranks at All-Ireland League, World Rugby Sevens Series, URC, EPCR Challenge and Champions Cup tournaments. 

Neville became the first female to take charge of games in the national leagues in Ireland, Wales and Italy as well as in The British and Irish Cup, European Challenge Cup and the Pro14.

Neville took charge of the Women's Rugby World Cup final in 2017 and was also named World Rugby Referee Award that same year.

Neville was appointed for the Women's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in 2021 and named to officiate as TMO at the Men's Rugby World Cup in France alongside three IRFU colleagues Andrew Brace, Chris Busby and Brian MacNeice.

Speaking on her new role Neville said “When I first took up the whistle after my playing career concluded, I could never have imagined the places the game would take me. 

"To be involved in, firstly, the Women’s Rugby World Cup final was a huge honour and to then progress through to the Men’s Rugby World Cup made me incredibly proud and it’s only when I look back now that I can truly appreciate those achievements.

"To all those who have helped foster my love of the game to this point, especially all my family, friends and mentors in and outside the game, thank you for your support. Although tinged with sadness as one hugely fulfilling chapter closes in my career, I am delighted that I can continue my career in Irish rugby with such an ambitious group in Connacht. 

"I’m grateful for this opportunity and excited to help develop the next crop of match officials across the province in the new year.”

IRFU Performance Director David Nucifora said “On behalf of the IRFU I would like to thank Joy for her incredible service to Irish rugby. Since her retirement as a player following an illustrious career, she has diligently applied herself to match officiating and steadily rose up the ranks to the highest levels of the game. 

"A pioneer for women’s sport in Ireland, it is fitting that she bows out at the top having recently become the first female match official to officiate at a Men’s Rugby World Cup. 

"I am delighted that Joy has agreed to continue her long and distinguished association with Irish rugby and would like to wish her well in her new role with Connacht.” 

IRFU Head of Referees Dudley Phillips added “Joy has been an incredible servant to Irish rugby and she can look back on her refereeing career with great pride. 

"As somebody who continues to blaze a trail for young men and women, I am delighted that she will continue to inspire the next generation of match officials in Connacht.”