We are incredibly happy we have a team now where we can play together at this standard and at this level and we love it! Having to match their energy and running pace is insane. "I got the news on Saturday and haven't come back down to earth yet. She is a member of the Hungarian Football Federation and has officiated several matches in the UEFA Champions League, putting her on the global stage. ", Paige Williams (Leeds United Women midfielder). All rights reserved. Since then, Welch, from Washington in Tyne and Wear, has gone beyond the challenge. The highest-ranking female referee in English football will take . Zooming in on the . "We love women's football a lot. Frappart will continue to make history in the coming weeks as she has been selected to work as a support match official at the Euros. Top 10 Penn State Nittany Lions football players, Notre Dame Football Jersey History (Update 2023), Top 10 Penn State Nittany Lions football players 2023, Top 12 Best Iowa Football Players Of All-Time 2023, Top 12 Texas Longhorns Football Players 2023, England National Football Team Players in 2023, Best Venezuela national football team Players, What Is A Field Goal In Basketball (Step By Step Full Guide), What Is A Carry In Basketball? Bundesliga in 2007 and established her name as the first female referee in German mens professional football. Amy Fearn came on as an injury substitute to referee an EFL game in 2010, but only Welch has been appointed to take charge of a full match. They're really proud. External Link, Arsenal to play Manchester United in New York Liverpool coach Jrgen Klopp risks getting a touchline ban over a feud with a referee who has been strongly defended by the Premier League match officials group. "As a male in the women's game, there is so much opportunity to join a match and referee for them, especially with girls who were part of today's final, who worked their absolute socks off. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Our advice is to work hard and never give up.". Female referees can promote women's right in Qatar- Frappart, Wendy Toms was the first female assistant referee in the Premier League in 1997, but only two women have followed since, with. "We've done much better, of course we have, but we still have a big gap of women coming through, and that's for lots of different reasons," she added. Analysis and opinion from our chief football writer. So the sight of four female refs on the pitch was nothing short of astonishing. My mum doesn't know a lot about football. As I live in Ecuador, that usually means Im tuning in to a LigaPro Serie A match (thats the top domestic level in which my team, Barcelona, won the title last season). Matches were played in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, with five franchises taking part. Leaving her home country, and all her friends, without a chance to say goodbye was understandably tough . The Premier League could still be a decade away from assigning its first female referee, according to Referees' Association chairman Paul Field. She's excited, but I don't think she knows why! Welch has been selected after an ongoing review of her performances this season and her appointment has been approved by referee chiefs Mike Riley and Mike Jones. She is known for her excellent communication skills and quick decision-making, making her a respected figure in the football community. Female referees continue to deal with sexist comments and actions on the field, by announcers, and by the public. "In terms of enjoyment, it comes from being able to be on the pitch and watch the game up close, as well as being able to provide the game for the fans and everyone else watching. "I do think its important to show that women who are in the top one per cent of their category can proceed to the next level so it definitely makes others down the period look up and know that they can achieve the same," she added. French referee Stephanie Frappart will make history Tuesday as the first female to referee a UEFA Champions League game. (Photo: Drahan Ardas archives via Facebook). VideoWatch Newsround - signed and subtitled, Wildflowers fit for a king: Special seeds for schools to mark coronation, County Antrim pupils record special coronation hymn. Lucy has been officiating football matches since she was 15 and has since become one of the most respected referees in the game. "I got the news on Saturday and haven't come back down to earth yet. Cream Magazine by Themebeez. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Thus women didnt reach the top levels of officiating the mens game until the 90s. The 35-year-old is blazing a trail for other women in the sport and is determined to make a name for herself in the competitive and male-dominated world of football. Steinhaus-Webb, who became the first woman to referee a German top-flight men's game in September 2017, now oversees the development of female officials for the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) in England. The English Football League (EFL) has appointed it's very first female referee. The Premier League supports the FA Women's National League (WNL), the third and fourth tiers of women's football, with 3m of investment and a new three-year strategy "Empowering For Success", which was launched this season. Wendy was born on 16 October 1962 in Dorset, England. Women were less common running the sidelines of mens football in England in the early 20th century. "I've received criticism for my refereeing, and that's part of football. Read about our approach to external linking. There are now a number of female referees taking charge of games at the highest level. Welch, who earns 120 per National League match, is aware of well-publicised cases of sexism towards female officials in the past but says she has never encountered that personally. This includes a commitment to increase the number of female referees for international and club matches. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. ", April Hill, Macey Nikiah-Walters & Esme Parsons (Portsmouth Women Development players). They have to be good enough, but we have got girls coming through now who are possibly good enough.". Last year the chairman of the Referees Association, Paul Field, said that female officials suffered because of a previous lack of investment in the womens game and that it would be a decade before a woman was refereeing a Premier League match. Rebecca Welch has made history by becoming the first woman appointed to referee a game in the English Football League. Ref 2 Derek Eaton 4th Official Andy Madley. Welch is the highest-ranking female referee in English football, has refereed in the National League for the past three seasons and has taken charge of the Women's FA Cup final at Wembley among other fixtures. a German top-flight men's game in September 2017. now oversees the development of female officials for the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) in England. She is the first female official to referee a mens professional match in her native Argentina and is the only female referee in the Primera Division, the top tier of the Argentine football pyramid. ", Rebecca Welch has refereed a Women's FA Cup Final, Welch in action in the Women's Super League, Pickford's homework keeps Everton's Great Escape dreams alive, Arsenal Women's Champions League final dreams end after extra-time heartbreak, Frank Lampard risking reputational damage in Chelsea's dire season, Frank Lampard: I don't blame Mauricio Pochettino for waiting on Chelsea job, Leeds in crisis as Javi Gracia faces the sack, Newcastle receive double boost in hunt for Champions League. Trailblazer Rebecca Welch targeting Premier League referee role and Jonsson, who started refereeing in 1983, recalls that it was the first competitive international tournament in which women officiated. The Football Association stated that The number of female referees in English football has increased by 72% since 2016., began refereeing in the mens 2. In August 2020, Kathryn Nesbitt became the first female official to work the final of an MLS competition when she assisted in the MLS is Back Tournament Final matchup between the Portland Timbers and Orlando City SC. As the team captains greeted each other and the referees for the coin toss, I noticed something out of the ordinary: All of the referees were women! On the international level, Steinhaus was in charge of the UEFA Womens Champions League final in 2017 as well as the Womens World Cup final in 2011 and the gold medal match for the Womens Olympics in 2012 at Wembley Stadium. My work ranges from travelling to take photos for grassroots football to professional games, sometimes even travelling internationally. I do think its important to show that women who are in the top 1% of their category can proceed to the next level so it definitely makes others down the pyramid look up and know that they can achieve the same.. There are more than 50 female officials across the Premier League, Championship, Women's Super League and Women's Championship. The 37-year-old from County Durham has become the first woman selected to referee a mens match in the English Football League. Read about our approach to external linking. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Thus, on May 27, I turned on the TV to watch a CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores group stage game between Defensa y Justicia of Argentina, and Independiente del Valle of Ecuador. Diogo Jota's stoppage-time strike sealed victory at Anfield, just 99 seconds after Spurs thought Richarlison's first Premier League goal for the club had rescued a . [24], In June 2017, Massey-Ellis was appointed to be an assistant referee for the UEFA Women's Euro 2017 in the Netherlands. In 2010, Amy Fearn was the first woman to take charge of a Football League match when the original referee was injured during the game and she took over for the last 20 minutes of play. Her tenacity and drive have seen her become the first female referee to officiate at a mens professional match in the UK and the first woman to referee a mens professional cup final in England. Jonsson, who started refereeing in 1983, recalls that it was the first competitive international tournament in which women officiated. Not many days go by that I dont turn on the TV to watch at least one soccer game. "I've seen both sides of the game from when I first started playing for a local boys team, to having to pay to play . She quickly developed a passion for the sport and was selected to become a referee at the age of 21. It the end it was the strike from Graham Hansen in the first leg that is the . Rebecca Welch becomes first female referee to be appointed to EFL game Aspinall joins Sian Massey-Ellis in the league . AP. She added: "Without any struggles, no one is going to get anywhere, it . Stphanie Frappart was the first woman to referee in Frances Ligue 2 in 2014, and made history again by officiating her first game in Ligue 1, in 2019. She is the only female FIFA referee in Switzerland and is paving the way for other women in the sport. "But I love sports, and my job is not so much a chore when I'm being paid to watch events and capture shots. "It's great to see the game has changed since I started watching it by including women's games seriously, and it's amazing to see how professional the leagues are forming. Sian Massey-Ellis, currently the highest ranked female official in the UK, started running the line in the Football League in 2009 and has been an assistant referee for Premier League games since 2010. "I actually have two jobs. She says that Frappart's display and that of other female officials in Qatar - another two female referees and three assistant referees are also available for selection - is crucial for paving the way for a new generation. Before Lucy, there were no female referees in professional football and she is determined to make sure that she isnt the last. They have the same level of knowledge, training and experience in the game, and are often more organized and efficient. Klopp then accused Tierney of saying something that was "not OK" and . English football referees officiate matches in English football. Those 156 associations have a total of 2,823 referees of which 822 (29.12%) are women who are accredited as follows: Fortuna Dusseldorfs Kerem Demirbay being sent off by female referee Bibiana Steinhaus in 2015. The first female referee in FIFA was Jacqui Melksham, who was approved in 2005. As CONMEBOL said about the historic appointment of an all-female officiating crew for the Copa Libertadores match, It is further proof of the organizations commitment to the development and professionalization of more women on and off the field, promoting gender equality and providing more decision-making spaces., As Football Makes History states, It is a step towards equality, but there is still a long way to go before female referees no longer make history in mens football. Ref 2 Mark Scholes 4th Official Graham Scott. She's excited, but I don't think she knows why! English referee Sian Massey-Ellis believes it is only a matter of time before there is a female referee in the Premier League. After spending several years officiating matches in the lower leagues, Fernanda was finally given the opportunity to become a top-flight referee in 2020. It helped the game become stable after years of stagnancy. When we were in school, we had to join the boys' team just to play football. What Is A Double Double In Basketball? Her first appointment as an assistant referee was on 29 August 2009, a 22 draw between Hereford United and Port Vale. That's not a bad thing, it's just, especially in the North East of England, there were very few. The Women's Premier League (WPL) is a women's Twenty20 cricket franchise league in India. "We are both in the same leagues but in different areas of the country, so we knew it was going to be a tough game and had to make sure we were reliable to each other as team-mates on where we were playing on the pitch. Is it common? But like Steinhaus-Webb, she is keen to make sure any promotion is for the right reasons. She eventually returned to Argentina and pursued her dream of becoming a professional referee. Here are the stories of those who participated on the day. Thirty years on from a plane crash devastated Zambian football, BBC Sport Africa hears how a Danish coach helped a nation recover from tragedy. [21], Her involvement in the qualification stage for the Women's World Cup increased for the 2011 edition of the competition, taking up the role of assistant referee for Norway's 20 win over Ukraine,[22] Sweden's 10 away victory over the Czech Republic in Prague[23] and Belgium's 110 home win over Azerbaijan. "Back in my time, all you could do was come down to your local pitch and play with your mates on a Saturday, go to the pub and that was it. Making History: Female Soccer Referees - Groundhopper Soccer Guides Read about our approach to external linking. Football has already seen three female assistant referees in the Football League - Fearn, Wendy Toms and Sian Massey-Ellis - and Welch admitted it felt strange to be thrust in the spotlight. She says the adage, "If you can see it, you can be it" applies to her story, and she hopes her appointment will spur others on as Massey-Ellis did for her. The referees officiate matches that range from local football to Premier League matches. She is football's reluctant trailblazer, an NHS administrator who took up refereeing just to prove a point to a friend during her amateur playing days. She began her journey in the sport in 2009 as an assistant referee in the Serie C, quickly becoming one of the most respected referees in the Italian game. Welchreflected on a "whirlwind decade" since she was playing for Durham and Nissan Ladies, and regularly shouting at the officials in charge. Nathan McAndrew's return of 5-53 is so far his best figures in England. "[I like] the games when nobody remembers who the ref is. Marking firsts like this for women in football matters, especially in a space where they have not always been fully welcome. Seven-year-old girl builds her own rocket! Stephanie Frappart: When might a woman referee a Premier League game Women have been actively participating, albeit mostly from the sidelines, in mens football for almost a century. Born in 1983, Fernanda began her football journey at the age of 15 when she joined a local female football team in her hometown of Porto Alegre. Welcome to the dangerous world of the yakuza: Watch the slick, stylish drama Tokyo Vice on BBC iPlayer now. "People are starting to know who the England women are. But it's really important to have a support network not connected to football too.". We are huge fans. County Championship: Gloucestershire collapse after big Sussex run haul. She has also been appointed to matches in the Football League Trophy, UEFA Women's Champions League,[4] FIFA Women's World Cup qualification rounds, the FIFA Women's World Cup and the UEFA Europa League. In terms of my addition to being part of the women's game, this is a privilege at the moment, you know? Frappart to become first female referee in UEFA Champions League Leeds won the match 31, winning the cup for the first time since its inaugural 199192 season.[11]. Copyrights Fast Sportsly. Earlier this year, Rebecca Welch became the first appointed female referee to take charge of an English Football League game when she oversaw Port Vale's 2-0 win against Harrogate Town . [13], Massey-Ellis was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to football. It Is What It Is: Referee Peter Bankes, an expert in the art of the The 37-year-old, who has refereed men's matches in the National League and top women's games like the FA Cup final back in 2017, was chosen following an ongoing review of her performances during the current season. "We've got to try and cut away some of the non-conscious bias that is still out there. She also was the first female referee to officiate mens matches in the Swiss Challenge League. Lucy Oliver is a pioneering female football referee who is helping to reshape the sport. Klopp was shown a yellow card by referee Paul Tierney after the German manager ran over to the fourth official to celebrate Liverpoo'ls late winning goal. It was only in September 2020 that a female officiated as an assistant referee for the first time in a Copa Libertadores game; this happened twice on the same day in two different games because the scheduled (male) referees tested positive for Covid and had to be replaced at the last minute. Nothing will teach you that better than, As it is the true sport of the world, the history of soccer (football) is, Groundhopper Guides has a look at soccer in the Olympics: the history, the mens and, All rights reserved 2023 Groundhopper Soccer Guides | Terms of Service | Privacy. However, at the time, they could not be appointed to games because there were no women on the 1991 FIFA List of Referees. Sian Massey-Ellis - Wikipedia Ingrid Jonsson (Sweden) and five other female assistant referees were invited to China for the inaugural FIFA Womens World Cup. Im really excited and this is what Ive been working towards, she said. | Why It Matters, UFC Fight Night: JJ Aldrich vs Ariane Lipski Live Streaming Watch Now. The Football Association points to an explosion in the number of women referees since the formation of the Women's Super League, with numbers up 76% between 2016 and 2020 and 2,146 officiating . These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. But Frampton believes too many female officials are lost to the top of the game because of problems at grassroots level. They make us love watching football the most, but now we all play with our mates for fun. A footballing whirlwind in the eye of a tabloid storm Look at the actions taken as the Third Reich faces collapse in the final weeks of World War II. Sian Louise Massey-Ellis MBE (ne Massey; born 5 October 1985) is an English football match official who officiates generally in the role of assistant referee in the Premier League and the Football League.She has also been appointed to matches in the Football League Trophy, UEFA Women's Champions League, FIFA Women's World Cup qualification rounds, the FIFA Women's World Cup and the UEFA . It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. We also enjoy being role models to young people and to ourselves when we are together. 'Really excited': Rebecca Welch the first female referee appointed to "It would have been nice to have had a girls' team. Her first Premier League appointment was on 28 December 2010, as an assistant in Blackpool's 20 away win at Sunderland. [12], In August 2011, Massey-Ellis was appointed to the Select Group of match officials. It is owned and operated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Sign up for our free newsletter "The Groundhopper", It was only in September 2020 that a female officiated as an assistant referee for the first time in a Copa Libertadores game; this happened twice on the same day in two different games because the scheduled (male) referees tested positive for Covid and had to be replaced at the last minute. Fearn became the first female to referee an FA Cup game in the main draw in 2013. In 2019, Yoshimi Yamashita, alongside Makoto Bozono and Naomi Teshirogi, took charge of a group match in the AFC Cup. Smith joins four new referees for the season - Jarred Gillett, Michael Salisbury, Tony Harrington and John Brooks - and . "I've grown so much as a person, being around the professional football environment, and learning from things I do wrong, something I probably didn't do as much of before I was a referee. region: "na1", In the early 80s, women in professional sports as players, game officials, coaches and front office personnel were virtually non-existent. Liverpool's Klopp risks ban over feud with match referee Yes, the Premier League does have female referees. Who are the Premier League referees? 2022/23 officials, salaries and [8], In May 2009, Massey-Ellis was appointed fourth official for the year's FA Women's Cup final at Derby County's Pride Park Stadium, a game which saw two injury-time goals and Arsenal defeat Sunderland 21. 2023 BBC. I dont want women appointed because theyre women. However, despite never envisaging becoming a referee, she said she is "extremely proud and my familys extremely proud as well" to be making history. Massey-Ellis was appointed to the FIFA list of women assistant referees in 2009 and turned professional in 2010. She has since gone on to officiate in the Copa do Brasil, the Campeonato Paulista and the Campeonato Brasileiro. Rebecca Welch pictured during the 2020 Womens FA Cup final. Welch had been working at the NHSBSA, which provides management services for the NHS surrounding repayment of prescription costs, but she "decided to take a career break" as her refereeing progress gathered pace. To have her around a dressing room, as one of my friends, is really important. External Link, Be wary of future Brighton rotation in FPL, FPL player price changes - rises, falls and top transfers for Gameweek 35, Gameweek 34 FPL stats: Haaland rewards as Triple Captain, Double Gameweek 34 FPL bonus points: Pickford hauls, Chelsea to play Borussia Dortmund in Chicago SportMob - Greatest Female Football Referees in the World What is the age limit for FIFA referees? FC Barcelona will add another stamp to their UEFA Women's Champions League finals passport. Because that means that it is normal., Sometimes you have to lose to win, right? But in blowing the whistle to mark kick-off between League Two's Harrogate Town and Port Vale, she will be setting a new and important precedent in English football, becoming the first woman appointed as a referee in the EFL. A referee on Teesside by the age of 14, Harrington officiated his first Premier League game in December 2021. They refereed a group-stage game in the African Nations Championship (CHAN), which is the second most senior national team competition in the continent after the Africa Cup of Nations. Germanys Bundesliga and Frances Ligue 1 have employed women referees, and Stphanie Frappart refereed a mens Champions League match last December. Welch has also expressed her desire to see a female referee in the Premier League, something which she believes could happen in the near future. In addition, the two video match officials were also women, making the entire officiating crew 100% female. "Seeing all the hard work and dedication to keep the clubs running is just amazing and how everyone volunteers to get things running for the growth of the clubs is heart-warming, especially at a final. Our group ranges across the positions, with a left-winger, a goalkeeper, a striker and a centre-back. Stephanie Frappart became the first woman to referee a men's World Cup game as she oversaw Germany's 4-2 win over Costa Rica on Thursday. Ref 1 Scott Ledger Asst. "But when you reflect on it [and] think youre the first woman ever to do this, Im extremely proud. Female football referee are becoming increasingly common in the sport, and they are proving to be just as capable as their male counterparts. Compared to men's football, I find women's football at this level much calmer and it is easy to follow. Rebecca Welch has become the first female referee to be appointed to a game in the English Football League, it has been announced. They need to earn the positions, pass the fitness tests and be technically capable. }); We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Authors note: After publication of this article, I was contacted by Dr. Lale Orta of Turkey, who states that she was the first female referee in a top European division (a Sper Lig match on May 29, 1999, thus beating Petignat in Switzerland by one day) as well as the first female assistant referree (in 1990).
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