New South America Rugby women’s referee panel announced

South America Rugby have announced their first ever female referees panel which will be implemented when the rugby world restarts.

Working remotely for the time being, the twelve member panel, from six South American countries will be lead by Joaquín Montes, the SAR Referee Manager and supported by Alhambra Nievas, Referee Development Manager at World Rugby. (bottom right images in pic)

Those selected are Nerea Livoni (Argentina), Nadia Ferenz (Argentina), Brenda Camacho (Argentina), Amanda Macedonio (Brazil) , Gabriela Graf (Brazil), Natasha Olsen (Brazil), Cristina Futuro (Brazil), Pierina Laguna (Chile), Paola Bolvaran (Chile), Laura García (Colombia), Dalia Pereira (Paraguay) and Camila Cabrera (Uruguay).

“We have been talking to Alhambra for a couple of months and now we have selected our women’s panel, with participation from various countries in the region. Being able to announce now is a huge joy, ”said Montes.

This group will be trained through regular meetings with Alhambra Nievas, where the main concepts of refereeing both 7s and 15s will be addressed.”

The Spaniard, Alhambra Nievas was the first modern era female referee to be appointed to a mens international and previously won the World Rugby Referee of the Year award in 2016. She is on the World Rugby selectors group working especially with emerging referees, working still with the World Rugby sevens referees on the world circuit. She will contribute her enormous experience together with Montes.