Jones said she began officiating when she was no longer able to play rugby league with boys after coming to the end of an under-11s season.
“I went over to a girls’ team and back then the opportunities for girls to play rugby were few and far between,” she said.
“It’s much better now but that’s why I went into officiating, because I was a bit stubborn and I was told I couldn’t do something within the sport I love.
“I was like, I will find a different avenue and no one is going to tell me I can’t be involved in this sport at the top level in the boys’ side of it.
“So I decided to go into officiating and I haven’t looked back.”
As a player, Jones won a Women’s Super League title, two League Leaders’ Shields and four Challenge Cups before retiring in 2024.
She has been refereeing in the men’s game for a year and said the players “just see me as another referee”.
“I think the biggest problem they have, is what do they call me?” she said.
“I get that question every week and I find it quite funny. I understand they’re used to having male referees and they always address them as ‘sir’.
“They are only trying to be respectful. I just tell them to call me ‘ref’ or ‘Tara’ and if they do call me ‘sir’ because it’s habit, then don’t worry about it.
“I’m not offended because I know they’re trying to be respectful and do the right thing.”
Jones said she hopes she can be a “trailblazer” for young women in rugby league.
“I try to be and I want to be – I just do what I do and I hope I can inspire young girls,” she added.
“Just this week I’ve had a message from a young girl who has just started refereeing to say that I’ve inspired her to try it and give it a go.
“That means a hell of a lot to me.”
