Trailblazing RFL Match Official Tara Jones today reflected on a weekend in which she combined her professional development with a more personal passion.
Before running the line as a touch judge for the Betfred Super League fixture between St Helens and Salford Red Devils on Sunday – the first Saints match she’s been involved in since ending her distinguished playing career at the end of last season – Tara had a central role in the annual Warrington Armed Forces Day at Crosfields on Saturday.
Crosfields have staged a special Armed Forces celebration for 14 years in memory of Tom Sephton, one of their former players who died as a result of wounds sustained on operations in Afghanistan in 2010.
A Crosfields XIII play the British Army XIII for the Sephton Trophy, with tributes also paid to Tom Coldridge who was severely injured on duty, and to Steven Birdsall, a Marine who also sadly lost his life whilst serving for 40 Commando Royal Marines in 2010.
Tara was given permission by RFL Head of Match Officials Phil Bentham to referee the Sephton Trophy, explaining:
“My dad was in the British Army for 22 years, I was born in Germany on British soil due to him being posted there at the time, then brought up in the military lifestyle so the military connection is something that I am passionate about.
“I’ve officiated at every Sephton Trophy event since it was launched, and I’m also one of a team of event organisers / volunteers alongside Lynette Whitfield, Stacey Courtney, Lynnda Jones, Brian Jones, Lyne Graham, Mark Graham, Niamh Graham, Lorraine Richards and Alan Boyle from the Army who is the chief organiser.
“There are many other volunteers from Crosfields, the Armed Forces, blue light services and the community that we thank for the help and support to run such a fantastic event.”
