The Walcha-based referee and NSW Rugby Development officer was sideline for the gold medal game as the assistant referee assigned to the Aussie team. 

“I was the number four, doing the bench for Aussie girls. It was a terrific game and could have gone either way,” she said.

Little was part of the Australian Rugby Union officiating contingent and also the fourth referee for the Aussie men’s fifth/sixth play-off against Scotland, the women’s bronze medal game and for South Africa in the men’s semi-final.

She also ran the sideline and acted as the in goal referee over the course of the three-day competition.

“It was a pretty exhausting couple of days,” she said.

The Saturday they went from quarter to eight in the morning through to 11pm.

That being said, it was a “wonderful experience”.

From working with, and having the opportunity to learn off, professional referees like Craig Joubert and Damon Murphy, to seeing the likes of Sri Lanka, who aren’t part of the world circuit play, to the amazing atmosphere. The roar in the women’s gold medal game for every Aussie break, big tackle or try was deafening.

“It was terrific to be part of that crowd,” Little said.

“That roar was fantastic.”

She got a first-hand taste of it, running out behind the two teams for the final.

It’s one of the fantastic memories she will take away from the Games.

At times the crowd was so loud that, Little said, you were trying to communicate and had to do a bit of a sign language.

She also noted the friendships and seeing the medal ceremonies as highlights.

One of the world’s biggest multi-sport events, Little also got to watch the Kookaburras (Australian mens hockey team) pool match against New Zealand.

The Games were another first on a long list for the whistle blower, who has refereed at some of Australia’s top tournaments and been a bit of a trailblazer for female referees. 

She was the first female to officiate at the Country Championships and the first to referee a Central North first grade grand final.

She will be back on the local scene this weekend refereeing the grand final replay between Walcha and Pirates.

The following weekend she will be in Warren for the Country Championships.

Stepping back from officiating at a national level, after that she’ll be concentrating her efforts on local rugby and her development work.

 And of course keeping an eye out for any talented young referees.

“I’d love to see some young players coming through,” she said.

“There is definitely a great pathway there.”

Little is also coaching the Central North under-15s girls team with Jeremy Maslen, and has high hopes for them at next months Country Championships.

“There is some tremendous talent in that team,” she said.