Welch to make history as EFL’s first female referee
REBECCA WELCH hopes she can be an inspiration to other women after becoming the first female referee appointed to take charge of a Football League game.
The 37-year-old, from Washington in Durham, is set to referee the League Two clash between Harrogate and Port Vale on Easter Monday.
Welch has officiated seven National League games this season, but will create history by taking charge of the match at the EnviroVent Stadium.
‘Initially I wasn’t really aware of being appointed as the first female referee,’ she said. ‘I was just given the appointment and I was over the moon but, when you reflect on it, you think you’re the first woman ever to do this, so I’m extremely proud and my family’s extremely proud as well.
‘It shows that there is a real opportunity to young girls who are wondering about taking the whistle or are already referees, they can aspire to be an EFL referee or, like
I think it’s important people in my position can show others that this can be done
[assistant referee] Sian Massey-Ellis, operating in the Premier League
‘I’d never seen myself as a trailblazer until the last year, where I’ve started to accept it because I think it’s important that people who are fortunate enough to be in my position or similar can show people that this can be done.’
Amy Fearn became the first woman to referee a Football League game when she came on as an injury replacement in the 2010 Championship match between Coventry and Nottingham Forest.
But Welch is the first to be given the appointment from the off and she said she was surprised when she found out the news on Saturday.
She added: ‘It was a shock. 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 have I done?”.
‘But I’m really excited and this is what I’ve been working towards. To be given this opportunity to work in the EFL is amazing for me.’