Female Referee Success at Manly

Manly Warringah Football Referees Association (MWFRA) is committed to increasing female referee numbers; recently running a female only referee course to promote more girls and women stepping onto the field as match officials.

On Saturday, March 11 2023, MWFRA hosted a female only Level 4 (entry level) referee course. Leading the course alongside the Manly branch coaches were some of MWFRA’s best female match officials, including Mia Velarde (currently a member of the FNSW Referee Academy) and Jaz Hill (graduate member of the FNSW Referee Academy).

The day saw 25 young females successfully complete the referee course in preparation for the upcoming community season.

MWFRA also had four junior females receive a FNSW Legacy Referee Scholarship for 2023, and will have a total of 30 new junior females join the referee ranks for 2023.

“Female only courses, particularly in the referee space, are incredibly important to encourage more females to get involved in leadership roles like being a match official,” said Football NSW’s Community Football Referee Coordinator, Emma Kocbek.

“For these young girls getting their referee qualification, to be able to link up with talented referees like Mia and Jaz who know what it’s like to be starting out as a referee, and can show them the pathway opportunities, it can have a huge impact on keeping them involved in the game and encourage others to do the same.”

Congratulations to all involved and we wish these up-and-coming female referees the best of luck for the season.

Photo: Facet Photography by Jeremy Denham