James Child is the UK’s first-ever openly gay rugby league referee, first coming out in 2021 on the BBC’s LGBT Sport Podcast. During his stellar career as a referee, James is one of the few elites to have officiated at four consecutive Rugby League World Cups. Having hung up his rugby boots at the beginning of 2023, James has become a highly sought-after speaker sharing his own journey on his sexuality – and how coming out as gay in a ‘macho’ sport affected him.
Having refereed from the age of 11, James’ love for the sport was clear for all to see. He first became a professional referee with The Rugby Football League in 2010 but also balanced his passion alongside being a property Surveyor having gained his degree in Real Estate from the University College of Estate Management. In the same year as he became a professional referee, James also became a Surveyor with Leeds City Council, after previously being their Senior Technician and Career Grade Surveyor. In 2016 James then became their Senior Land and Property Surveyor before being promoted to their Principal Land and Property Surveyor. Currently, James is at the world’s largest real estate company, CBRE, as their Associate Director.
James’ career as an international referee has seen him be awarded both domestic and international honours. As a testament to his incredible ability to remain focused and resilient under pressure throughout a match, James has refereed over 300 Super League games. As a fountain of knowledge in the sporting world, James was also chosen to appear in a Pride edition of the BBC panel show ‘Question of Sport’. As a member of the LGBT community, James is passionate about inclusion and now offers an insight into the ups and downs of life as a professional referee.
Having refereed, video refereed and been the touch judge at some of the most prestigious rugby league tournaments including the Super League Grand Final, World Cup Challenge, Four Nations Final, Challenge Cup Final and Rugby League World Cup, there is no one more capable than James at sharing his tips for maintaining his mental resilience. James is dedicated to creating a more diverse society and openly shares his journey with his audience. When looking for an LGTQ speaker who had to face coming out as gay in the ‘macho’ world of rugby, consider hiring James Child to gain the mental resilience and confidence to live your life with purpose.
James Child is regularly booked to engage audiences at events, read their latest feedback below:
“In an engaging and interactive presentation to our members, James touched upon all aspects about being an elite level match official and talked through a wide variety of thought-provoking situations both on and off the field of play. It was fascinating to hear James review and explain his rationale for some crucial season-defining decisions from games he had been involved in as well as how he dealt with abuse from fans on social media platforms in the aftermath of matches. James’s experience of working alongside video assistant referees was of particular interest to our members and very revealing to see how the role of this additional official in rugby differs to how it is performed in football. Such was the impact made by James, he was voted Speaker of the Year in 2022.”
“James was a very insightful and knowledgeable speaker. He was able to put people at ease and clearly address the key aims of the session in a thoughtful and warm way.”
“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.”
“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 connected naturally with his audience to deliver a wide-ranging talk covering what it takes to become a professional referee. He spoke about the challenges and sacrifices required, the highs and lows of performance and how to develop from setbacks, the personal and professional goal-setting along the way to reaching and maintaining an elite level of performance for over a decade. He concluded with an inspirationally honest and thought-provoking focus on his story of coming out professionally within Rugby League. James answered questions with balance and care, and gave generously of his time to speak with pupils after the formal end of the event.”
“To mark Pride Month, Pitch Marketing Group had the pleasure of hosting an inspirational session led by James Child, the first openly gay rugby league referee. James shared his journey with us, delving into his remarkable career and the personal experiences that have shaped him into the trailblazer he is today. James’s story is nothing short of inspiring. He spoke candidly about the challenges he faced both on and off the field, providing an honest and heartfelt account of his experiences in an industry that has not always been welcoming to LGBTQ+ individuals. His resilience and dedication to staying true to himself despite the obstacles were truly motivating. His genuine and engaging storytelling made us reflect on our own experiences and encouraged us to think more deeply about inclusivity and acceptance in our personal and professional lives. His passion for creating a more inclusive and diverse environment resonated with everyone in the room. Thank you, James, for being a role model, reminding us of how we can all be allies, and empowering us to embrace our true identities.”
“James was an excellent and professional speaker who was able to make his audience feel at ease right from the start. The talk James gave was well thought-out and helped break down many LGBTQ+ issues into easy to follow topics of discussion (particularly with regards to how far LGBTQ+ rights have come and how much remains to be done. On top of this, the life experience James shared was also very touching to hear. James’ presentation style was accessible and educational, and we have received very positive feedback with regards to James as a speaker. Of particular note, many attendees praised James’ passion and candidness throughout the presentation, as well as his openness to answering any questions they had. We would very much recommend James as a speaker to others and thank him for providing such an educational, powerful and memorable talk.”
The LGBT Speakers Agency has been one of the UK’s leading bureaus for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender speakers since 2020. We supply speakers for corporate and public events across the world, and cater to both in-person occasions and online webinars. Our roster includes athletes, psychologists, celebrities and more, to ensure that audiences of all demographics receive tailored, impactful strategies for inclusion.
Copyright © 2025 The LGBT Speakers Agency. All rights reserved.