Aspiring first-grade referee Kasey Badger thanks players for 'phenomenal' reception in Toyota Cup debut
By staff writers
FOX SPORTS
May 02, 2012 11:16AM
A taste of Toyota Cup action has fuelled Kasey Badger's determination to become the first woman to referee an NRL first-grade match.
Badger, 25, says she was pleasantly surprised by the response from players in her Toyota Cup debut at Brookvale on April 14.
In an exclusive post-match interview with Fox Sports, the wife of current first-grade whistleblower Gavin Badger said emerging stars from Manly and Gold Coast Titans gave her a warm reception.
"They were phenomenal," she said.
"They were all very respectful and polite, coming up before the game to shake my hand and say congratulations.
"If I could get players like that every week it'd be awesome."
Of course, both Kasey and Gavin know how quickly the players and fans can turn on the refs. But Gavin, who watched Kasey's debut from the stands, believes his better half is well equipped to cope with the scrutiny.
"There was a few (comments from fans) around us. I've got to bite my tongue a bit, sit there and ignore it, but generally it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be," he said.
"If she doesn't do well, there's plenty of people waiting to knock her down and say, 'you shouldn't have been out there in the first place', so there is that pressure on her, but we never had any doubt.
"We knew she'd be able to handle it."
Kasey, who began refereeing in the Parramatta junior competition in 2004, described the Sea Eagles-Titans match as "a great experience" as she continues a rapid rise through the ranks.
