Ella Goldsmith is officially among the Australian rugby greats after receiving an award at the Rugby AU Awards on Friday 17 October.

Coonamble-raised Ella was sitting in a room with all the year's greatest rugby players, coaches and officials, when they called her name to collect the FedEx Referee of the Year award.

Chuckles and laughs rippled through the crowd as she made her way up to the stage while her highlights of the season played on the big screen, including giving some of the players in the room yellow cards.

The award is given to the referee who has demonstrated the highest standard of officiating throughout the year and is considered a role model in the sport.

She was nominated for the award alongside two-time Referee of The Year Award winner, Nic Berry, and Angus Gardner, who has been officiating since 1999.

Ella said she was excited to be considered among "big names in the refereeing space."

"I was pretty shocked because I didn't have any inclination that I was gonna get it before being nominated."

Ella has had a huge season of refereeing this year, including officiating the Women's Rugby World Cup bronze final on 27 September.

"It's been a really cool year."

Now holding one of the highest industry awards, Ella has built her way to the top after joining the NSW Rugby Referees Association in 2022.

"There's been some massive big milestones I've ticked off," she said.

And after "a very fast paced couple of years in the association," Ella said she is looking forward to some time off to relax over the off season.

She said she plans to visit family and friends in Coonamble over Christmas after being away for a few months.

"I believe we're doing Christmas at home this year so I'll be out on the farm."

Ella said she plans to take up a different approach to her training schedule while she is out west.

"I'll do some training at the CrossFit gym with my mum and dad because they love it there and find it fun.

"I might go down to the to the oval and do a bit of running

"There's a few people that will look at me like 'what am I doing' when they drive past, but it's what I have to do."

Ella said she need to be in peak performance when the Rugby 7s season come around the corner early next year.

She said 2025 has cemented her in the World Rugby Referees group, and is keen for next year, and what the season will bring her way.

The next Womens Rugby World Cup is being held in Adelaide in 2029.

"It's pretty cool for us to have the opportunity to host something, especially coming off such a successful 2025 campaign from England," she said.

Although the cup is about four years away, Ella is committed to official another world series game.

"I just have to continue to work really hard on my fitness and on my skills.

"Keep showing selectors that I'm able to do big games and then you hopefully get picked again beginning of 2029 to participate at that next World Cup."