Hollie Davidson Biography – Hollie Davidson Wiki

Hollie Davidson, a trailblazing referee from Scotland, has made significant strides in the world of professional rugby union. In 2017, she broke new ground by becoming the first full-time professional female referee for Scottish rugby. Her international test debut occurred on November 9, 2018, officiating the match where England triumphed over the USA with a score of 57-5.

The year 2022 marked a milestone for Davidson as she officiated major events in both sevens and 15s rugby. She took charge of the women’s finals at the Commonwealth Games and the Rugby World Cup Sevens. Making history, she became the first woman to referee a men’s Six Nations team when Italy narrowly defeated Portugal 38-31 in June 2022.

On November 12, 2022, Davidson officiated the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 final at Eden Park, featuring a thrilling match between host nation New Zealand and England. This marked her 26th test as a referee and her distinction as the first woman to oversee Rugby World Cup finals in both the sevens and 15s categories.

Davidson joined the ranks of notable female referees who have led a Rugby World Cup final, following in the footsteps of Sarah Corrigan (Australia, 2010), Amy Perrett (Australia, 2014), and Joy Neville (Ireland, 2017). She also became the second Scottish official to referee a women’s Rugby World Cup final, a path first carved by Jim Fleming in 1994.

In 2024, Davidson achieved yet another first by becoming the inaugural female assistant referee in both the Men’s Six Nations and Rugby Championship. That same year, she made history as the first woman to referee at the World Rugby U20 Championship and later officiated the European Rugby Challenge Cup final between Bath and Lyon in May 2025.

World Rugby Referee Award

On 25 September 2025, Davidson was presented with the World Rugby Referee Award in partnership with Emirates at the Women’s Rugby Global Summit in London. She is the second Scottish official after Jim Fleming to receive the accolade, which recognizes international men’s and women’s referees, in sevens or 15s, who have made a significant contribution to the game of rugby.

She is the third female recipient, following in the footsteps of Alhambra Nievas – who shared the award in 2016 with fellow Olympic Games gold medal match referee Rasta Rasivhenge – and Joy Neville, the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 final referee.

The Scottish referee was named World Rugby’s Referee of the Year for 2025, with more than a quarter of her 46 matches in the middle having come in the men’s Test arena.

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 final

On 27 September 2025, Davidson took charge of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 final between Canada and England at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. Her parents were in the crowd for the final. She became the first female to referee two Women’s Rugby World Cup finals and only the third in history with South Africa’s Andre Watson refereeing the men’s Rugby World Cup final in 1999 and 2003 and Ed Morrison of England with the men’s title decider in 1995 and the women’s final in 1998.

All Blacks Test

On 22 November 2025, Davidson will become the first female in history to referee an All Blacks Test, having been appointed to officiate Wales vs New Zealand in the Autumn Nations Series.

Hollie Davidson Age

World Rugby referee Hollie Davidson was born on 19 September 1992 in Aboyne, Scotland.

Hollie Davidson Parents

Referee Hollie Davidson is supported by her family and her partner Scotland international rugby player Helen Nelson. Her parents were in the crowd for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 final.

“But both my mum and dad were in the crowd for the final,” Davidson told RugbyPass. “I remember talking to my dad a few days later and he said that he hadn’t eaten all day because he was so nervous. It probably puts into perspective how nerve wracking it is to be a supporter of a referee.”

Hollie Davidson Partner

Hollie Davidson is in a relationship with Helen Nelson, a Scottish rugby union player. Nelson represents PWR side Loughborough Lightning at the club level. Davidson and her partner Helen Nelson have been together for more than 10 years.

“She’s a very supportive other half,” Davidson told the Daily Mail. “And hopefully it’s vice-versa for her. It just means that we’re able to understand at times what one another are going through.”

She added: “She’s the nicest individual. We’re very good in the sense that once we come home and rugby is done, it’s done. The conversation doesn’t really continue unless one of us needs that support from the other.”

Hollie Davidson Husband

Is Hollie Davidson married? No, the Scottish referee is unmarried. Her partner of more than 10 years is Scottish rugby union player Helen Nelson.

Hollie Davidson Salary

Professional rugby referee Hollie Davidson receives a salary of between £1,200 and £2,200 per game, which equivalates to approximately £160,000 per year.

Hollie Davidson Net Worth

Scottish rugby union referee Hollie Davidson has an estimated net worth of £1 million.

Height

Hollie Davidson stands at 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) tall.

Instagram

Hollie Davidson’s Instagram account is @holliedave.