Kirsty Mulcahey, centre midfielder for the women's team, said: "Knowing Rebecca Welch started her career late, at 27, will reassure senior players as well as young girls, that there's still hope that women can have lots of opportunities in football.". Sarah Thomas made history in 2015 when she became the first female hired as a full-time NFL official. Rebecca Welch became the first female referee appointed to take charge of an English Football League game this week. In 2010, she also made history when she became the first woman to referee an EFL game, though that happened as a result of the originally appointed official getting injured. This is the latest example of women breaking into the ranks of the higher levels of men's soccer matches as referees. After more than a decade in the game and as the highest-ranked female referee in English football, this afternoon Welch will take charge of the League Two clash between Harrogate Town and Port Vale. Welch is the highest-ranked female referee in English football, and has been refereeing for more than a decade. Welch was promoted to the highest European class for female referees last year. All Rights Reserved. In 2015, she became the first full-time female referee in the NFL. Both male and female participants rate a high status female official higher than a high status male official. Footballers from grassroots clubs such as Wandsworth Borough FC believe this will create more opportunities for women within football. "I was on my way back from a game and I got a phone call from Mike Jones (PGMOL National Group Director) and my initial response was 'oh, what've I done!' Sarah Thomas (née Bailey; born September 21, 1973) is an American football official, currently for the National Football League (NFL), who wears uniform number 53. The 'super charming and beautiful' female referee-Fernanda/ Ph.maneclect.com She was born and raised in Russia and quickly became one of the famous female football referees… Sian Louise Massey-Ellis, better known as Sian Massey-Ellis, is an English football match official who officiates generally in the role of assistant referee in the Premier League and the Football League. section: | slug: rebecca-welch-becomes-first-female-referee-in-english-football-league-match | sport: soccer | route: article_single.us | CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: soccer | pageType: stories | Who is Sarah Thomas? Paul Field, chairman of the Referees' Association, said: "Every step has to be a positive one. Kari Seitz is US Soccer’s most experienced international referee, with 4 Women’s World Cup tournaments and 3 Olympic games under her belt. Rebecca Welch has become the first female referee to be appointed to a game in the English Football League, it has been announced. French referee Stephanie Frappart became the first woman to referee a men's Champion's League match in December. She was selected after a review of her performance this season by referee chiefs Mike Riley and Mike Jones. But it's good to achieve things and refereeing in the EFL on Monday will be the greatest so far.". "I've always said throughout all my promotions, I want to be promoted on merit, rather than an appointment based on anything else. in 2015 and first officiated a playoff game in 2019. She has previously refereed the Women… Rebecca Welch has become the first female referee to be appointed to an English Football League match as she prepares to take charge of the League Two clash between Harrogate Town and Port Vale next week, the EFL said on Tuesday. 4:37 pm ET, PSG vs. Manchester City odds, UCL picks, bets, Pulisic scores at Real Madrid, makes U.S. UCL history, Pulisic talks UCL semifinals vs. Real Madrid, Welch makes history as first woman ref in EFL, Pulisic makes history with goal in UCL semis, Kroenke won't sell Arsenal as Ek plots bid, Nagelsmann to leave RB Leipzig for Bayern Munich, Champions League Corner Picks: Semifinal best bets. "It was a shock," said Welch when asked about her appointment. "For her first match in the EFL, I hope the ball runs fair for her, and she has a great game. While she wasn’t the first woman to officiate an NFL game — Shannon Eastin stepped in as a replacement during the 2012 referee lockout — … … … ", Rebecca Welch: First female referee will encourage more women to consider careers in football, Rebecca Welch is pictured at the Women's FA cup final at Wembley, Welch is the highest-ranking female referee in English football. © 2004-2021 CBS Interactive. Welch, 37, currently the highest-ranked female official in the country, will preside over Harrogate Town's League Two duel with Port Vale. A leading Israeli football referee is set to announce that they are undergoing sex reassignment surgery, becoming a woman named Sapir Berman and the first transgender match official in the history of the country’s top flight. She was in charge of Port Vale's 2-0 win against Harrogate Town, a match in the third-tier of English men's soccer. Rebecca Welch has made history by becoming the first woman appointed to referee a game in the English Football League. Welch will now whistle on the fourth level for the men. "When I decided to become a referee 11 years ago, I had no idea I would be the first female in the EFL, it didn't even register on my radar!" Team captain Emma Connell talked about equality within the sport. Aurelie Sara Bollier is certainly one of the. Rebecca Welch has made history by becoming the first woman appointed to referee a game in the English Football League. Welch, 37, will preside over the League Two clash between Harrogate Town and Port Vale on Monday. Male participants rate high status female officials higher than female participants. As she noted in her comment, Welch has refereed big games in the past so she's no stranger to the spotlight. The ranks of the referees ' Association, said: `` Every step to. 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