Amber receives glowing Stamp of approval
She may be at the beginning of her fledgling refereeing career, but already Amber Stamp is being hailed as an inspiration to others and has been tipped to become Wales’s first female international referee.
WRU Community Match Officials Development Lead Sean Brickell has high hopes of his protégé after seeing her make rapid strides since taking up the whistle as a 17-year-old after successfully completing a female only Ready to Ref course five years ago.
“Amber has the potential to be our first female international referee,” predicts Brickell.
“She has all the attributes required to reach the top of her game. Hardworking, motivated and the drive to succeed in what she wants to achieve. Although Amber is very ambitious, she’s a very grounded, respectful young lady, who fully appreciates all those who have supported her on her journey.
“Both Amber and Jenny Davies have raised the bar with female officiating in Wales, and they have shown what’s achievable with patience and hard work. Hopefully they will inspire more females to take up the whistle.”
Brickell added: “We have a small but dedicated group of female match officials who support the community game. Sarah Toll, Ceri Parry and Fiona Davies are now experienced referees, while recent additions are Coral McShane, Macey Philips, Bethan MacLauchlin and ex Wales internationals Jess Kavanagh and Amy Thompson.”
Stamp and Davies created history this season by becoming the first females to referee in the WRU Admiral Championship.
Amber Stamp taking charge of Caldicot v Gilfach Goch in a Division Two WRU Cup clash
Both have refereed in showpiece finals at Principality Stadium during the Road to Principality programme as they blaze a trail for other female referees to follow.
After beginning her refereeing journey at Cardiff Quins in an under 15 match for girls, Stamp’s potential has been quickly recognised and she is now regularly officiating men’s club games.
While females are not a regular sight when it comes to taking charge of men’s games in Welsh domestic rugby, the 22-year-old has been welcomed with open arms by clubs countrywide.
“The biggest thing for female match officials is perception,” she says, “especially in Wales as there aren’t many of us so some clubs I’ve been to I’m the first they have ever had so it’s challenging that perception that I can do the job required.
“So, it’s always going in and the first 30 seconds or so of kick-off showcasing that I am at that level and I can officiate that game. To be fair in Wales most of the clubs I’ve been to are positive, but I suppose it can be a little daunting going into that all-male environment.”
Stamp has her number one fan, her nan, to thank for becoming a referee. Stamp’s playing career with Lydney and Drybrook RFC came to a shuddering halt – two consecutive shoulder operations ensured her playing days as a back row were over while still in her teens.
Amber Stamp says the reaction to her refereeing across Wales has always been positive. 'I’ve been to quite a few clubs now and I’ve always had positive experiences.'
“My refereeing journey started on the female only ready to ref course,” recalls Stamp. “My nan signed me up when I was 17. She was fed up with me sulking around – I had my first game at Cardiff Quins U15s girls and I haven’t looked back since to be fair.
“I absolutely loved playing and being involved in the game – I was gutted when I stopped so for me being a referee it’s just still having that involvement in the game testing myself physically and mentally. Testing myself physically and mentally gives me the buzz you can’t get anywhere else other than playing.
“I am still nervous going into a game, it’s just the nature of it – anxious, excited and a little bit nervous as well. Looking back to my first game at U15s girls I was anxious bit nervous – not knowing what really to expect. That first season was like growing into that. Getting that experience under my belt and getting those routines before during and after the match – if you can really nail that before kick-off it does ease you into the game so much easier.”
Despite earning glowing reports for her officiating Stamp is keeping her feet firmly on the ground as she continues her refereeing journey.
“I don’t think refereeing has necessarily come easy,” she says. There are certain things that have and certain things that haven’t – for me certain aspects are easier for myself while other aspects are more challenging.
“The reaction across Wales has always been positive. I’ve been to quite a few clubs now and I’ve always had positive experiences. Of course, some Saturdays are tougher than others and Sundays as well but you take those, park it and move on.”
Stamp, who has travelled to Budapest (twice), Dubai (twice), Portugal and throughout the United Kingdom since taking up the whistle, admits getting out her passport is one of the perks of the role.
“I absolutely love the travel aspect of it. It’s been arguably the best part of my journey so far,” she says.
“The connections I’ve made on and off the field will stick with me. Back in 2019 I didn’t really know those opportunities were possible so anything like that has been absolutely amazing not only as a ref but as a person.
“If you had told me in the carpark at Cardiff Quins when I was 17 that I would be doing this now I probably wouldn’t have believed you but again, very different expectations back then – I’m very different now.”
Stamp is quick to praise the support she has received from the WRU refereeing department who have given her talent every opportunity to flourish at the highest level.
“The support from Sean Brickell, the WRU development referee officer has helped me massively in my refereeing journey. He was in charge of the ready to ref group when I first started – he’s been massive in terms of reviewing my games and just being there for me in the past three or four seasons.
Referee Amber Herd prepares for her next match
“The biggest thing for me is just being there on the other end of the phone and I can say that about all the coaches I work with in the WRU. They are always there on a Saturday afternoon whether I have had a good or bad game.
“When you are out there on a Saturday it can feel quite a lonely place but knowing you have got that support network with people like Sean and as well as my family has been massively beneficial to me.
“You don’t get that buzz anywhere else other than playing or refereeing – just being out there in the middle of it is as close you are going to get to playing and you never know what opportunities there are so I would encourage anyone thinking about becoming a referee to do it.”
As for her own ambitions, Stamp simply says, “I would like to take it as far as I can go – I would love to be involved in some internationals in the future.”
