‘Who would have thought that a young girl from the streets of Hull would one day receive an MBE? I keep pinching myself’
Julia Lee has been awarded an MBE for her services to Rugby League.(Image: InYourArea)
A Hull born sportswoman who has been involved in rugby for more than 40 years is celebrating after being awarded an MBE in the King’s New Years’ Honours list. Julia Lee, Foundation Chair at Halifax Panthers, has received the honour for her services to Rugby League, in particular for her advocacy for women’s Rugby League and officiating.
Born in Hull and a lifelong Hull Kingston Rovers fan, Julia has been a Rugby pioneer as both an official and an administrator, working at every level from grassroots rugby to elite and international. As the first woman to referee male players, she has blazed a trail in rugby league on the pitch, working in the UK and Australia as well as playing and coaching in Hull.
Dedicating her career to promoting rugby league, and female inclusion in rugby league, she has also founded clubs – Fulham Women in 1989 – acted in senior roles at organisations including the Women’s Rugby League Association (WRLA), and been involved in historic tours such as the 1996 Great Britain Lionesses tour of Australia, which marked the last time a British side won a test series in Australia.
She was also instrumental in establishing the first women’s university league, and helped to organise the 2000 World Series. Julia has also had a significant impact on the men’s game, holding a number of senior roles within the Rugby Football League, and she was also a director of the team that organised the Festival of World Cups in 2013, the first completely inclusive world cup competitions held simultaneously in rugby league history.
In recent years she has been the director of Women in Rugby League (WIRL), an organisation dedicated to promoting, celebrating, and uncovering the history of women’s rugby league. Three years ago she secured the first inductions of women into the Rugby League Hall of Fame, as well as the awarding of caps and heritage numbers to 72 Great Britain players – and that same year Julia was inducted into the Rugby League Roll of Honour, the highest accolade for off-pitch contribution to the sport.
She is currently a Trustee of the Hull Kingston Rovers Foundation and Women in Rugby League director.
Julia said: “Rugby league has always played an important role in my life, from my early days on the terraces at Craven Park watching Hull Kingston Rovers, where I found my tribe.
“Who would have thought that a young girl from the streets of Hull would one day receive an MBE? I keep pinching myself. I feel incredibly fortunate that, for the majority of my career, I have been able to volunteer and work within rugby league and play a part in making a difference for so many people.
“I realised early on that sport—particularly rugby league—has the power to reach communities that are often neglected or disenfranchised. I have had the privilege of leading and contributing to many projects that have created real and lasting impact.”
“I am especially proud of the Women in Rugby League projects, which have finally brought recognition to women who were hidden in the sport’s history.”
Halifax Panthers said: “The club would like to send our most sincere congratulations to Julia on this magnificent achievement, a fitting tribute and recognition of all her hard work and dedication to our sport.”
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