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James Child is one of rugby league’s most respected and experienced referees, having officiated more than 300 Super League matches at the highest level of the game. His career highlights include refereeing the 2017 Super League Grand Final and the 2022 Challenge Cup Final, as well as achieving the rare distinction of officiating at four consecutive Rugby League World Cups.
In 2021, James made history as the UK’s first openly gay rugby league referee, sharing his story publicly on the BBC’s LGBT Sport Podcast. His decision to speak out marked a significant moment for inclusion in professional sport, challenging perceptions within a traditionally ‘macho’ environment. He has since continued to raise awareness around diversity and representation, including appearing on a Pride special of the long-running BBC panel show Question of Sport.
Alongside his refereeing career, James spent 17 years working as a chartered surveyor at Leeds City Council before transitioning into the corporate world with global real estate firm CBRE following his retirement from officiating in 2022.
Today, James is a compelling and insightful speaker, offering a unique perspective on performing under pressure, decision-making in high-stakes environments, and resilience in the face of scrutiny. With honesty and authenticity, he shares his personal journey and explores what it means to be true to yourself, providing powerful takeaways on leadership, inclusion, and confidence in any environment.
In this powerful and engaging talk, James Child shares his experiences of operating in one of the most high-pressure environments in sport. From making split-second decisions in front of thousands of fans to facing intense scrutiny and criticism, he explores what it truly takes to stay resilient under pressure. Through personal stories from his refereeing career, James reveals how adversity can be a catalyst for growth, offering practical insights on mindset, composure, and bouncing back stronger, lessons that translate seamlessly into the workplace.
James Child delivers a powerful and authentic account of his journey to embracing his identity in elite sport. From the fear of judgement to the freedom of being himself, he highlights the life-changing impact of inclusion and allyship. This inspiring session encourages audiences to challenge assumptions, support others, and create environments where everyone feels seen, valued, and able to thrive.
What separates good from great when the pressure is on? In this engaging session, James Child reveals how adopting a growth mindset can transform performance in even the most demanding environments. Using powerful stories from elite sport, he demonstrates how to reframe setbacks, stay focused under scrutiny, and turn feedback into fuel for improvement, offering actionable insights for anyone striving to perform at their best.
In the high-stakes world of professional sport, communication has to be instant, clear, and effective. James Child takes audiences inside the referee’s team environment to reveal how collaboration works when every decision matters and time is limited. Through real-life stories from the biggest matches in rugby league, he highlights how trust, clarity, and shared responsibility are essential to success, lessons that translate directly into any team or organisation.
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.
James was a fantastic speaker and is a very special person. His openness, self-reflection and resilience were evident as he very willingly shared his story. James’ sexual orientation was almost an aside as he explained his journey, sharing challenges and successes along the way, and how he has used both platforms on which to grow and build strength.
