Remarkable Career Achievements for College Sport Student

Pictured above, left to right – Faye Gaskin, Sammie Simpson & Tara Jones after winning 24 – 4 against France.

Tara Jones, a BA (Hons) in Sport Coaching and Sport Development student, is enjoying a whirlwind career; balancing her degree studies at Riverside College (Cronton Campus) with her sporting successes.

The 20-year-old has celebrated some outstanding career highlights so far, as both a sports person and a referee. She has officiated at the National Champion Schools Finals at Wembley and has played both Rugby League and Rugby Union to a high level, earning International honours representing her Country in Rugby League.

Tara has received the ‘Referee of the Year’ award at the Warrington Rugby League Referees’ Society presentation evening for the seasons 2014 and recently 2016. She then capped off her 2016 sports season by winning the double (Challenge Cup and Grand Final) with her club the Thatto Heath Crusaders, in an impressive 36-8 Grand Final win over Bradford Bulls at the Widnes Vikings’ Select Security Stadium.

The talented student became involved in sport from an early age; at eight she began playing Rugby League at her local community club, Crosfields in Warrington, and at age 12 she took up the whistle and became a referee. As well as playing rugby Tara has continued refereeing and has steadily worked her way up the rankings to now refereeing National Conference League Games. She is now one of the highest qualified female referees with the Rugby Football League and hopes to continue with her progress and hopes be one of, if not the first female to officiate in the top flight at Super League.

Whilst still playing at her community club Tara was also playing for Cronton Sixth Form, and went on to be selected for the England Students rugby league team each year which has lead to international honours representing England playing two test matches in France in June 2015. Tara continues to be part of the Women’s National Development Squad who are working towards selection into the England squad again to head to the World Cup in Australia in November 2017.

Tara was also chosen to represent her County in Rugby Union after impressing selectors while playing Rugby League. This led to Tara receiving an invitation to the England Women’s trials.

As well as the fantastic sporting achievements, Tara always excelled in her studies, firstly at Cronton Sixth Form where she studied the Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport, and more recently studying on the Foundation Degree and BA (Hons) in Sport. Tara is an outstanding student and sports ambassador for the college and her tutors predict a successful and bright future for her.

Tara commented, “The tutors at college offer lots of support and the ability to do sport sessions alongside my course is a huge benefit. The classes are smaller which means you get one-to-one tuition and you also get the opportunity to gain hands on practical work experience.”

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