Just call me Sir, says Olympic hopeful Sara Cox

Sara Cox has her sights firmly set on representing England at the Olympics as the RFU‘s first ever contracted referee.
With rugby preparing to make its return to the Olympic Games for the first time since 1924, the 25 year-old believes there is no higher stage.
“For any sport, and for anybody that follows any type of sport, I think the Olympics is the pinnacle,” said Cox.
“I really want to get to the Olympics, that’s the big thing for me, just like it would be for the players as well.
“There’s so much buzz about it [Rugby at the Olympics], it’s brilliant. And the game of Sevens is a great game to watch, it’s seven minutes each way, it’s fast.
“To be involved in that and to be able to facilitate that great game of rugby or that gold medal final, there’s nothing better than that.”
An often-highlighted contrast between rugby and other sports is the on-field relationship enjoyed by players and officials, and according to Cox this is no different as a female.
Despite the mutual respect, however, there can still be cases of awkwardness in communications from player to referee. Cox, who carries out her training with the male officials of the Premiership, laughs this off.
“Call me ‘sir’,” she says with a matter of fact-ness.
“They can have a run of nine, ten referees and they’re all be male. And then I turn up and the players aren’t really sure what to call me.
“I’ve got no issue with that whatsoever because to me that’s still a sign of respect and they’re still addressing you as the sport would want them to.
“So I don’t take offence to that and we’d have a smile about it at the start of the game.”
Cox has experienced being in charge in major competitions, notably the World Cup.
She said: “I’ve had some great experiences.
“I got to referee at Twickenham in front of quite a few people. Most recently it was being involved with the Women’s Six Nations, going out to France.”
Cox, who started as a player before injury took her into refereeing, speaks positively of the increase of female participants in rugby.
“There are now a lot more females active in the rugby world. When I first started about nine years ago there were a couple of others. They were few and far between.
“I think [England winning the Women’s World Cup] changed the outlook on female rugby full stop. I think there’s more interest now and it’s moving in an upward direction.”
Whether she makes it to Rio or not, Cox is aware of leaving her own Olympic legacy.
“To be the first female to be contracted, that’s a massive step for women in sport.
“Hopefully, I can be that person who inspires other people and let people know that it’s not always about being a player.”
DANIEL KELLY