Lisa Ryder and Paul Henden have both become Warwickshire referees. Lisa, a former player in the Warwick University Ladies XV and Paul, her partner of three years, were both successful in the RFU’s National Foundation Course Part One and Part Two examinations, following a recent course run by the Warwickshire Society of Referees at Broadstreet RFC.

Lisa, who is 28, was unable to take up the whistle immediately, however, because she was expecting the couple’s first child whilst taking the course. She will now have to complete her field test this season following the arrival of baby Kaitlyn Alicia Henden, born on July 7th. She said, “I had to give up playing so I decided I would train to become a referee. But I had to put the plans on hold for a few months until the arrival of Kaitlyn. Now she’s here I intend to get back to full fitness and set off on my refereeing career.”

Conducted by Warwickshire Society’s RFU trainers, Peter Tolan and Steve Davies, it was the third course held last season, including a successful Part One day-long course for 18 school teachers on behalf of the Warwickshire County Council.