Thank you to Football South for covering this story: 

On the 11th of March, as part of Girls and Women's month, a host of influential female referees hosted the Women in Refereeing webinar. After an engaging introduction, the webinar went into breakout rooms hosted by referees Lindsey Robinson, Nadia Browning, Anna Marie Keighley, Beth Rattray, Allys Clipsham and Sarah Jones.

Football South Referee Development Manager Lindsey Robinson told of her transition from playing to refereeing, “I started in the Men’s Sunday pub league, it was a great laugh and great to be involved. I mainly did men’s football, went up to the National Northern League. I love enthusing people into the game and love to see people reach their potential!”

Lindsey has had many incredible experiences through refereeing and for her none are as special as refereeing the 2018 Women’s FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Chelsea. The game took place in front of a record crowd with over 45,000 fans at Wembley Stadium. “It was a big London derby, the biggest women’s crowd too! It was the first time my mum saw me ref, she was in the royal box. If she was in the stands, she’d be telling everyone off who was having a go at me!”

WaiBOP’s Youth Refereeing Coordinator Nadia Browning started playing football at 5. She moved into refereeing due to her injury-prone nature telling the webinar she couldn’t keep going to work on crutches! Nadia doesn’t think she could have given up playing without it and that through her refereeing she has travelled extensively, including visiting 7 out of the 11 OFC nations, “it’s pretty amazing bouncing around the islands!”

Her highlight in her refereeing career has been attending the Youth Olympic Games in China in 2014. At this tournament, Nadia and Anna-Maria refereed the 3rd/4th place final. She is grateful for the quick progression she had through the refereeing system.

Anna Marie jokes that refereeing can help people overcome the fear of decision making. She talks about the importance of reaching out to the wider federation and the local referee's development officer to help support and connect with other female referees. Anna Marie reflects that sometimes refereeing can be hard but states it’s all about understanding the passion for the game, “Even if a decision is as clear as day, it’s that passion for the game, of course, they’re gonna challenge it!”.

Anna Marie has visited many far-flung locations through refereeing, including India and Canada. Her fondest refereeing moment took place in Canada, at the 2015 Women’s World Cup. A particular highlight for her was overseeing the Canada v Switzerland match, it was a sell-out game at BC Place, “It was amazing to be in the centre of such an awesome game and environment, you’re in the middle of it and feeding off the energy of the crowd!”

Beth Rattray is Northern’s Education Officer for community officials and has this piece of advice for referees looking for ways to deal with controversy, “Sometimes I won’t reply, I just let them vent, and the game continues on.” Beth’s favourite moment within refereeing was officiating her first OFC match in front of a packed Fijian crowd.

Football South’s Community Development officer Allys Clipsham talked of her love of refereeing and the inclusiveness of the community. “The four of you walking out together, it’s more like a family, I feel like we have a closer connection than you do as players in a team.” She started refereeing at fourteen and reflects that the National League has some great pathways for referees. She also acknowledges that it’s possible to referee at a higher level than you can play at, having once had aspirations to play in the Premier League in England!

WaiBOP’s Sarah Jones relishes the camaraderie within refereeing and the opportunities it has given her. “I love that I can be involved in football in a different way, I have the best seat in the house and have been involved in a higher level than I could have played at!” Sarah is also on the panel for the Men’s Hyundai A-League and gets insight into the Australian coaching and courses, “We’re lucky to get the A-League opportunity through the Phoenix.” One of the things she loves most about officiating is the management side of things, “I love managing the players and having them challenge me!”.

Article added: Thursday 18 March 2021