Kelly Jones returns
Leading NSW female referee Kelly Jones will once again take centre stage on the football pitch as she prepares to officiate the Liberty A-League clash between the Newcastle Jets and Melbourne Victory at McDonald Jones Stadium tomorrow following the birth of her second child.
After three months of motherhood, the 31-year-old has worked hard to return to the game she loves as she set her sights on officiating in Australia’s top tier women’s competition once more.
“I’m so excited to be able to referee in the best women’s competition in the country again and I’m grateful for the support I received from both Football NSW and Football Australia.
“I’ve had to juggle a newborn, a toddler and training and wouldn’t be able to have done it also without the fantastic support from my family and my husband.
“My training schedule was different this time as I wasn’t able to set a regular schedule, but after a few false starts things got easier. I’m now looking forward to getting back out there.”
Jones, who spent the last six weeks prepping to return to the pitch, has been part of the Liberty A-League for the last ten years and has yet to miss a solitary season.
Following on from this season, Jones will once again be one of NSW’s leading female referees for the upcoming 2022 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s competition.
“We are very proud of Kelly’s efforts and achievements and to see her back doing what she does best following motherhood is a testament to her character,” said Football NSW’s Referees Manager, Kris Griffiths-Jones.
“Kelly has worked hard to get to where she is today and it’s fantastic to see female officials from NSW promoting such achievements with the hope of getting many more officials to this level.”
With so many up-and-coming female officials realising their dreams of refereeing at the highest level, Football NSW is always on the look out for more interested officials wanting to take the next step.
For more information on upcoming referee courses and how to become a referee click here.
One of Kelly’s biggest fans can’t wait to see her mum back in action on the
Liberty A-League once more.
