Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOR Precious Pazani, the last few months have been a rollercoaster of emotion, from anxiety, gaiety, joy, pride and everything in-between.
There isn’t an emotion that she has not felt.
And it all comes to a head when the Women’s Rugby World Cup bursts into life with the first game pitting Australia against Samoa at Salford Community Stadium in England, this afternoon.
Pazani is set to make history after being selected to officiate at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, slated for August 22-September 27 in England, marking yet another remarkable milestone in her ever-rising and already decorated refereeing career.
She has been named as an assistant referee and reserve referee, making her the first African official from outside South Africa to take charge of a game at the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Pazani will be in the thick of the action this afternoon as the first assistant referee for the World Cup opener.
She has been named in the matchday officials’ roll call alongside Lauren Jenner (main referee), Amelia Luciano (second assistant), Matteo Liperini (TV match official) and Andrew McMenemy (Foul play review officer).
But having handled a number of high profile international matches Pazani must now be accustomed to the pressure that comes with such an appointment.
Although she was briefed about her appointment in March, Pazani said the significance of this development only sank in a few weeks ago as she prepared to leave for England.
“Yes, it’s been a while since I got the news and it didn’t really sink in, the magnitude of the appointment, until just before I left Zimbabwe and the referees organised a farewell dinner for me,” said Pazani.
“I think that is when it dawned on me that this is quite big.
“It’s not just for me or the nation but I am going to be representing the continent.
“That’s when it actually hit home that I actually am doing this and will be carrying the whole of Africa on my back.
“It also means that there are a lot of people quite excited for me, looking forward to me being here and excelling,” she said.
As if to put an exclamation mark on her point, Rugby Africa president Herbert Mensah even took time out of his busy schedule and sent the young referee a short heartfelt message.
“Precious, I just want to congratulate you, you make me so proud,” Mensah said in a recorded video to Pazani.
“The message from Mr Mensah was quite big,” said Pazani.
“Rugby Africa presidents are usually in the background doing a lot of work, behind the scenes, but then he actually took time from his busy schedule to send that message.
“It really meant a lot to me.
“Getting into the World Cup with such messages and best wishes makes me hold my head high and proud.
“I know that I have a lot of backing and support, an entire continent’s worth,” she said.
Pazani has been in the UK for the past week or so, going through the induction and last-minute preparations ahead of today’s kick-off. The last of the processes occurred on Tuesday night as the tournament’s 10 officials were capped.
“When we had our capping ceremony, with people from different countries sending in their congratulatory messages, that also kind of made it home that I am here now,” added Pazani. She even took time to reflect on the journey she has embarked on since May, when the appointment first came about.
And what a rollercoaster it was.
“So, we were all supposed to get calls to confirm whether one is going to the World Cup or not back in May,” she said.
“Everyone was going to get a call but they would explain whether you have made it or not and then explain why you didn’t.
“So, we were all eagerly waiting as the calls were supposed to be made between May 5 and 9. Pazani’s call did come but it was not entirely the call she had hoped for.
“I got my call, I think on the last day, and Alhambra Nevis, the woman in charge of the women’s referee then said she had some good news and bad news for me.
“The bad news, she explained, was that I would not be part of the main referees but the good news was that I was going in as an assistant referee.
“I remember thinking “wow cool, it’s sad that I couldn’t go in as a referee but I’m quite chuffed that I actually managed to go in as an assistant.”
“I had always wanted to go to the World Cup so I was really over the moon that I would realise that dream,” she said.
