Godsell takes next step in refereeing pathway

Another Football NSW match official has been promoted to the national stage, with Molly Godsell becoming the third NSW referee to make their A-League Women’s debut this season.

First picking up the whistle with Nepean Referees Group, Molly was elevated to the Football NSW Referee Development Panel before being selected for the Football NSW Referee Academy in 2022.

Later that year, she was selected to officiate at the Girls National Youth Championships in Coffs Harbour and was named Referee of the Tournament for the Under 14 age group by Football Australia.

In 2023, Molly was named as a finalist for Sport NSW’s Young Official of the Year award and was nominated to referee at the UniSport Nationals on the Gold Coast.

Following a strong season refereeing in the NPL NSW Women’s competition, Molly was selected for the Football Australia Referee Academy.

Last month, Molly made debut as a fourth official during Unite Round in the A-League Women before refereeing her first professional match a fortnight later, following in the footsteps of Mikayla Ryan and Isabella Mossin, who refereed their first ALW matches in December.

Molly’s first match in the middle on an ALW match was on 28 Jan 2024, on the Wellington Phoenix vs Canberra United match at Porirua Park, New Zealand. She was assisted by Allys Clipsham (AR1), Heloise Welch (AR2) and Beth Rattray (4th Official).