James Child is a history-maker.

One of rugby league’s most experienced officials, he took control of more than 300 Super League games – and refereed both the 2022 Challenge Cup Final and the 2017 Super League Grand Final.

James accomplished the rare feat of officiating at four consecutive World Cups – including as touch judge for both the 2008 and 2013 finals – and in 2021, he became the UK’s first openly gay rugby league referee when he opened up about his sexuality on the BBC’s LGBT Sport Podcast. In 2022, James also appeared in a Pride edition of the long running BBC panel show, Question of Sport.

For seventeen years, James combined his refereeing career with his work as a chartered surveyor at Leeds City Council; and after hanging up the whistle in 2022, he joined the world’s largest commercial real estate company CBRE.

A passionate advocate for inclusion, James offers a rare and fascinating insight into the highs and lows of life as a professional referee – including how the skills he learned about performing under pressure at the highest levels can be applied to other situations.

He speaks with openness and honesty about his own journey with his sexuality, and how his willingness to open up about being gay squared with the ‘macho’ environment of professional sport.

Key topics:

  • Allyship
  • D&I in the workplace
  • LGBTQ+ in the Workplace
  • Mental health

Available for:

  • Conference speaking
  • Keynote speaking
  • Virtual events
  • Podcasts
  • Interviews
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“James gave a valuable insight into the mindset and challenges faced by referees in professional sport.  He offered powerful personal experience of standing up to critics at the same time as learning from mistakes.  His account of his experience as an openly gay man working in professional sport was inspirational.”
"James co-ordinated and spoke at a team event which was overwhelmingly well received and generated a lot of reflection from the attendees. James speaks clearly and powerfully about his lived experience, not shying away from the challenging experiences in his professional career but also celebrating the positives in an accessible and engaging way. Genuinely fascinating, thoughtful and wonderful."
"I found James’s talk really engaging, insightful and thought provoking. I don’t know whether he found it difficult to discuss, but it didn’t come across that way at all."
"The National Crime Agency marked the start of LGBT History Month on 1 February with a talk to officers from James. The NCA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture in which individuals can be themselves and give of their best and it was a pleasure to listen to James' insight on decision-making, resilience, leadership and the power of role models and allyship which all resonated with officers."
“James’s story was inspirational. It’s awesome that he bravely went public to help clear a path (nobody should have to), but I’m most inspired by his self-awareness, accountability for mistakes and desire to improve. Too rare today.”

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