This weekend, Roni Kipnis (38) is set to make history as the first woman ever to referee the Men’s State Cup Final in Israeli rugby — a groundbreaking milestone in her rapidly rising career. In just a few short years, Kipnis has become one of Israel’s most respected referees and has even broken onto the international stage. “I feel incredibly lucky,” she says.
Kipnis (38) stands at the centre of the pitch, whistle in hand, her gaze focused and authoritative. Her voice is calm but firm, guiding players often twice her size. In a sport traditionally viewed as male-dominated, Kipnis has carved out a trailblazing path — and this weekend, she’ll become the first woman in Israel to officiate the men’s national cup final.
Her story, from the Golan Heights to the Hebrew University in Jerusalem to top-tier European tournaments, proves that passion, perseverance, and professionalism can take anyone — man or woman — to the top of the game.
From Football Dreams to Rugby Roots
“I grew up in the Golan Heights and always loved sport, but there weren’t many options,” Kipnis recalls. “I tried sailing, athletics, basketball — but my dream was football. And in the Golan, there was no football for girls.”
While studying communications and international relations at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Kipnis searched for a football team but came up empty. Looking for a team sport, she stumbled into a life-changing encounter with rugby. “I just came to watch a women’s practice to see if it was too intimidating. They immediately said, ‘Join us!’ It was love at first sight — fitness, intensity, community. I didn’t even realise I’d been missing it.”
Not long after, she was not only playing for the Jerusalem women’s team but also managing it. That same year, she was selected for the national team. After finishing her studies, she moved to Rehovot and helped form a new team alongside Hagit Solomon, a former teammate from Jerusalem. “We built the team from scratch,” she says. “Hagit wanted to bring women’s rugby to her hometown, and we were the founding group.”
Kipnis’s drive helped expand the women’s game in Israel from just three teams to a peak of eight. “There was a clear hierarchy — Tel Aviv always won — but it was a special, fun, supportive community. Women from all backgrounds found a home in rugby, in a sport considered traditionally male. I’m so proud to be a part of that.”
Though her physique didn’t fit the ‘classic’ rugby mould, Kipnis saw her strength as an asset. “I’m not built like a flanker or centre, but I’m strong, and I’ve never felt inferior. I remember seeing a photo in my first season and thinking, ‘Wow, I look tiny!’ But I made it work. I could challenge bigger players. Rugby is tough, but so is life.”
Thrown Into the Deep End
After years as a player, Kipnis hit a crossroads. “The challenge wasn’t there anymore. I still loved the game, but it started to feel like a burden.” She decided to transition into officiating and enrolled in a referee course. “It felt like being thrown into the deep end. You don’t automatically know more than a coach watching from the sidelines, and that’s tough.”
She officiated her first men’s match — Mammoths vs. Haifa — in March 2023 and earned her first international appointment later that year at the U18 European Championship in Warsaw. “It wasn’t a surprise — it was part of a plan with Ariel [Cabral] and Jeremy [Schauder], who encouraged me to start refereeing 15s to prepare for European assignments.” “The tournament was an emotional rollercoaster. The game is just 14 minutes — but most of the work is between matches. Feedback, performance reviews, constant improvement — that’s the real job.”
Ariel Cabral, Israel Rugby’s Head of Referees, speaks of Kipnis with deep admiration: “Roni is a role model — professional, determined, and always pushing herself. She’s already officiated twice abroad with great success. She’s shattered the ceiling. I’m so proud of her.”
“I’m lucky to have Ariel and Jeremy behind me,” Kipnis adds. “Ariel’s European connections helped with my assignments. Jeremy offers constant support and feedback. This couldn’t have happened without them.”
“I feel that my presence as a woman helps defuse tension”
Kipnis notes that her gender has never led to less respect — if anything, being a woman is often a strength.
“I think women often excel at emotional control. That helps me stay calm, make sound decisions, and avoid unnecessary drama. Sometimes just being a woman on the field lowers tension and improves the game’s atmosphere.”
She does highlight one key difference in refereeing men’s and women’s matches: “In Israel, men play 15s and women play sevens — they’re very different games. That said, women are more disciplined. They don’t complain or curse as much. With men, it’s not just the ref — they argue with each other too.”
Balancing Rugby, Cybersecurity, and Motherhood
Kipnis works full-time in cybersecurity and raises two children with her partner, Michal Weitzman. Balancing everything requires discipline: two gym sessions, a run, and now speed drills to prepare for Europe. “I also cycle to work — that helps keep me fit,” she says.
Her family’s support is vital. “I couldn’t do this without Michal. Weekends are packed with games and tournaments. Her encouragement is everything.”
Would she want her kids to play rugby? “Absolutely. Rugby has space for everyone — tall, short, strong, quick. It teaches resilience and character.”
Referee. Mother. Athlete. And a Full-Time Cyber Professional
Roni Kipnis’s appointment as the first woman to referee the Men’s State Cup Final marks a major milestone for women in Israeli sport. But that’s not all — she has also been selected for her third assignment at a Rugby Europe tournament, this time officiating at the highly competitive Trophy division in Croatia.
“My goal this season was to earn another European appointment and move up a tier,” Kipnis shares. “That dream has come true. Now it’s about getting there and delivering my very best. And if I’m dreaming big, maybe one day I’ll referee a women’s 15s match in top-tier European rugby.”
Kipnis is fully aware of the significance of representation. “It really matters for people to see a woman with the whistle. I feel incredibly lucky to be in that position,” she says. “Having women officiate in a sport still seen by many as ‘masculine’ helps reshape perspectives. It teaches players and coaches to respect authority — regardless of gender.”
Despite her growing list of accomplishments, Kipnis remains humble. “As a referee, I wouldn’t give myself more than a 7 out of 10. There’s always room to grow. I’m my own harshest critic. I analyze my decisions, review the laws of the game — there’s always something to improve.”
Rugby’s Olympic Return: A Sign of Growth and Renewal
Having witnessed the evolution of rugby in Israel over more than a decade, Roni Kipnis is optimistic about the sport’s future. She was especially moved by the global progress, marked by rugby’s return to the Olympic Games. “Rugby has become increasingly professional,” she says. “Its return to the Olympics is a powerful sign of the sport’s renewal and growth. I attended the last women’s Olympic tournament in Paris, and it was an unforgettable experience — sitting in the Stade de France surrounded by passionate fans from around the world, all united by their love for the game.”
Kipnis is particularly inspired by the rapid rise of the professional women’s game: increased investment, more broadcasts, and growing institutional support. “It’s a joy to watch women competing at such a high level. This progress not only improves conditions for current players but also increases visibility and inspires a whole new generation of female athletes around the world.”
shattering the glass ceiling
From a passionate young player to a respected international referee, Roni Kipnis’s journey reflects the advancement of women’s sport in Israel. She’s proven that authority, expertise, and passion know no gender.
As Ariel Cabral aptly put it: “She shattered the ceiling.” Today, Kipnis is lighting the way for the next generation of women in Israeli sport — not just as participants, but as leaders and decision-makers.
With her eyes on the future and history already behind her, Roni Kipnis continues to blow the whistle — and lead the change whose echo will be heard long after the final whistle sounds.
Photos by Roy Kfir
