​​For Stellenbosch University's Department of Sport Science alumna Aimee Barrett being selected to be part of the referee panel at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio is a dream come true.

South African rugby referees Craig Joubert, Rasta Rasivhenge, Marius van der Westhuizen, Ben Crouse and Aimee Barrett were named among an elite group of international referees selected to officiate at the 2016 Rio Games in August.

Crouse, Joubert, Van der Westhuizen and Rasivhenge were named on the 12-member panel for the men's tournament from 9 to 11 August, while Rasivhenge will double up on the panel for the women's tournament alongside Barrett from 6 to 8 August.

With the 2016 Games marking 92 years since rugby last featured at the Olympics, the tournament will mark a significant occasion in each of the five referees' careers.

"It's still sinking in but it's an absolute dream come true. It's an honour to represent my country in the sport that I love and I'm counting the days," said Barrett.

"It's a huge boost of experience for my refereeing career – top countries will have their best players playing on the world stage so I couldn't ask for a bigger challenge. Hopefully this will spark more opportunities in the future, such as the Rugby World Cup."

Barrett started her refereeing career in 2014. "I officiated a few high school games and then I was invited to the SARU women's national referee camp where I met other female refs from around SA. I was fortunate enough to be nominated to be a referee in Dubai and the USA on a referee exchange in 2015 and it was an honour to be a referee at the women's 7s and 15s interprovincial finals last year."

Barrett serves on several national and international rugby panels.

"I really enjoy the mental and physical challenge every match can bring. I've spent many years on the field when I was playing but nothing compares to the decision-making you have to do when you have the whistle," said Barrett.

Barrett completed her MSc at the Department of Sport Science in 2015. The title of her study was: "The epidemiology of hostel rugby injuries at Stellenbosch University."