Referee Belinda Sharpe has been named as a finalist in this year’s Queensland Sport Awards.

Sharpe’s nomination for the Konica Minolta Queensland Officiator of the Year Award caps off a ground-breaking season for the Rockhampton product, who was appointed to her first NRL match as a referee in July this year.

In the process, she became the first female in Australian rugby league history to referee a professional men’s match, a significant achievement that puts her right in the mix for further recognition at the prestigious Queensland Sport Awards.

Across 11 categories, this year`s finalists comprise of outstanding Queensland athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and administrators from a broad cross section of the Queensland Sport sector, with successes both within Queensland, Australia and overseas.

The winners will be announced at the Queensland Sport Awards and Hall of Fame Ceremony, to be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on November 30.

Along with her historic NRL appointment this year, Sharpe ran lines in the NRL and officiated matches in Queensland’s premier competition, the Intrust Super Cup.

She also became a full-time member of the NRL referees’ squad, taking control of the Holden Women’s State of Origin match between the Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons and New South Wales in front of more than 10,000 fans at North Sydney Oval.

The premiership-winning Brisbane Broncos NRLW side - led by Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons skipper Ali Brigginshaw - are also up for an award.

The Konica Minolta Queensland Officiator of the Year Award (nominees)

Chris Beath - Football

Paul Effeney - Sailing

Rebecca Green - Taekwondo

Paul Langton - Little Athletics

Belinda Sharpe - Rugby League

Click here for further information about the Q-Sport Awards.