DUBLIN, IRE- World Rugby has released the refereeing appointments for the 2018-2019 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, and among the referees selected is USA Rugby's Emily Hsieh. Hsieh will appear at four of the six stops along the women's circuit: Colorado, Dubai, Langford and Paris.
"I don't think I can describe [my feelings] in words. I don't think excited does it justice. [Being on the 7s world series] has been my dream for a very long time.' Hsieh noted. ". Ever since [the beginning], when I started reffing I thought to myself, 'I [want] to be the best referee in the US. I think I can [referee internationally].' I don't think I've ever been so close to realizing a dream [my Olympic Dream] that I've had since I was 5 years old.'
Hsieh, started her journey back in 2013 after she took a break from playing rugby. The journey for Hsieh, started by refereeing local matches and tournaments, before long USA Rugby's attention had been caught and she began to become a feature in the staples of domestic rugby in America. As a result of her work around the country she was named as a Shanagher Morrison scholarship recipient, from those opportunities and under the guidance of USA Rugby's referee coaches she was spotted by World Rugby.
"We've got to know Emily over the last year,' stated Craig Joubert, World Rugby Referee Talent Development Coach. "We saw her first at the Dubai invitational tournament, we liked how she was as a referee…she seemed ready to make that next step up to the World Rugby Series.'
Adding to Joubert's comments was Paddy O'Brien, World Rugby's High Performance Sevens Referee Manager, who noted, "Emily's a bit of a wee rock star for us. She's very quick, she's got a lovely understanding and most of all she's got a huge work ethic. We're delighted to bring her onboard and we expect her to get to the Olympics in Tokyo.'
Hsieh will now be the third American woman to referee 7s at an international level following in the footsteps of Dana Teagarden and Leah Berard. Hsieh's first assignment will be at the first leg of the tour for the HSBC USA 7s in Glendale, Colorado on October 20 and 21.
