St Helens Women’s star Tara Jones announced her shock retirement from playing after Sunday’s Grand Final defeat to York.
The 28-year-old will become a full-time member of the RFL’s match officials squad, having already refereed her first Betfred League One match this season, as well as working as a touch-judge in a number of Betfred Super League fixtures.
During the press conference following the Grand Final, St Helens coach Matty Smith thanked two superstars of the women’s game, Faye Gaskin and Jones, for their contributions to the club.
Jones said: “Tonight was my last game, so I’ve had the opportunity and took the role that I’m going to become a full time match official.
“It is a really exciting opportunity for me. I will be gutted to leave the girls, leave the club and leave everything that I’ve done behind. But for me, the opportunity is now, and I’ve kind of got to take that with both hands.”
🗞️ Saints’ record appearance maker Tara Jones will leave the club to become a full-time match official in 2025…
❤️ Thanks for everything TJ and good luck in the future!#COYS
— St.Helens Women (@saints1890women) October 7, 2024
— St.Helens Women (@saints1890women) October 7, 2024
While Jones didn’t end her career with one last piece of silverware, as Saints lost the Grand Final to York Valkyrie, she will leave with fond memories.
She said: “It wasn’t ultimately the fairy tale ending that we wanted together, but it’s been a special group of people, whether that be the players, the staff, the backroom staff, the staff at the club as a whole. I will miss it, and I wish them all the best.”
Gaskin also played her final match in the Red V strip and admitted she is not an emotional person. Comfortable with the decision to call time on her playing days, and despite not yet knowing what life holds after her retirement, she revealed to be excited for what is to come, regardless of whether it will be anything she expected.
She said: “I’m kind of excited to find who I am away from rugby league. I’ve not really found who I am yet away from the sport. And in terms of having a family and stuff, we (my partner and I) will start the next steps when we’re ready. I’m just excited to find who I am more than anything.”
One Jones’ appointment as a full-time match official, Phil Bentham, the RFL’s Head of Match Officials, said: “I’m delighted that Tara will be joining our Full-Time Match Officials Squad for the 2025 season.
“It’s been a big decision for her to retire from a fantastic club and international playing career after this weekend’s Women’s Super League Grand Final.
“She’s had a brilliant season as a match official, becoming the first female official to referee Men’s League One and touch judge Men’s Super League.
“This significant appointment will see Tara become the first woman to join our full-time squad, since its inception in 2006.”
