Aurélie Groizeleau facts for kids
Groizeleau officiating in 2021
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 27 February 1989 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place of birth | La Rochelle, France | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 68 kg (150 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aurélie Groizeleau, born on February 27, 1989, is a talented French rugby official. She used to play rugby herself before becoming a referee. She has been a referee in international rugby matches since 2018.
As a player, Aurélie represented her country, France. She played five times for the France women's national rugby union team. She also played five times for the France women's national rugby sevens team.
Contents
Aurélie Groizeleau's Playing Career
Aurélie Groizeleau played rugby for a club called Blagnac. She was a strong player for the French national teams. She played five matches for the French women's rugby union team. She also played five matches for the French women's rugby sevens team.
In 2007, when she was 18, Aurélie had a serious injury. This injury later made it impossible for her to continue playing rugby. She had to stop playing when she was 19 years old. Before her injury, Aurélie had hoped to play for France in the 2008 Women's Six Nations Championship.
Aurélie Groizeleau's Officiating Career
Aurélie Groizeleau started her journey as a rugby referee when she was 21. She first worked as an assistant referee. Later, she became a main referee, making the big calls on the field. She began her refereeing career in a men's league called Fédérale 2.
Today, she referees matches in several leagues. These include the men's Fédérale 1 and Top 14 leagues. She also referees in the French women's Premier Division. Aurélie also officiates rugby sevens matches in the Rugby Europe Women's Sevens competition. When she started, she was one of only four fully qualified female referees in France. A well-known French male referee, Jérôme Garcès, coaches her.
Key Moments in Refereeing
In 2016, Aurélie refereed a match between the under-20 teams of France and England. In November 2017, she was an assistant referee for two matches. These matches were between France and New Zealand.
Her first international rugby match as a main referee was in November 2018. She officiated a game between Italy and South Africa. Aurélie was chosen to referee in the 2019 Women's Six Nations Championship. Her first match in this big competition was in March 2019, between England and Italy. At that time, she was one of only six female international referees.
She was also selected to be an official for the 2020 Women's Six Nations Championship. She was set to be the main referee for two matches and an assistant for two others. Later that year, she refereed a match between France and England. This happened after another official, Joy Neville, was injured. Aurélie was again chosen as an official for the 2021 Women's Six Nations Championship. She was the main referee for two matches and an assistant for one.
On September 1, 2021, Aurélie Groizeleau signed a special contract. This was a semi-professional contract with the French Rugby Federation (FFR). That same month, she refereed two matches in Italy. These games were part of the 2021 Rugby World Cup qualifying European tournament. In October 2021, Aurélie started refereeing in the men's Rugby Pro D2 league.
In May 2022, Aurélie was chosen as a referee for the 2021 Rugby World Cup. This tournament had been delayed. She was also selected to be an assistant referee for the exciting 2021 Rugby World Cup Final.
Aurélie Groizeleau's Personal Life
Aurélie Groizeleau grew up in La Rochelle, a city in France. She now lives in a town called Marans, Charente-Maritime. Besides her work in rugby, Aurélie is also a farmer. She raises almost 7,000 pairs of pigeons at her parents' home.
Aurélie is dedicated to learning new things. She spends three hours every week studying English. Her partner is also involved in rugby. He works as an assistant referee in the men's Rugby Pro D2 and Fédérale 1 leagues. Aurélie Groizeleau has one daughter.
