Michelle Allen kicking goals during Female Football Week

With Female Football Week in full swing, prominent PS4 NPL NSW Official Michelle Allen has been a keen advocate in promoting the wonderful world game to all female participants.

The 36-year-old has been refereeing since 1995, a twenty-year milestone with only a few short breaks along the way.

Allen has been officiating in Football NSW run competitions for many years and has also been an assistant referee in the Westfield W-League.

“It’s been exciting to be a part of the Westfield W-League as each year builds on the last and the competition gets stronger.”

Allen is keen to continue her career and to progress as much as she can as a referee.

“I want to go as far as I can go, I still have plenty to learn and plenty to offer.

Allen works with the St George Referees branch and oversees young officials coming through the system.

“I look after a pool of cadet referees at St George.

“This group of 12-14 year-old referees officiate the 6-9 year-old MiniRoos games and is a fantastic environment for them to develop their skills on non-competition games. 

“Once they’ve passed a theory course, they participate in a practical gala day and then during the season, myself and other cadet coordinators watch their games, offering coaching assistance and scheduled training sessions.”

The referee mentor says it’s great to see the youngsters coming through and progressing as officials.

“It’s fantastic to see them from the start of the season as young kids not knowing what to expect and throughout the season watch them mature and develop their skills as referees.

Allen says that this platform is extremely valuable to young aspiring female officials also

“I find this program especially beneficial for younger females who find refereeing daunting

“They can spend a couple of years in a nurturing environment and we see them start to flourish into confident referees.

The experienced official stated to Football NSW on why Female Football Weeks is important and special to the footballing community

“It highlights the opportunities available for females of all ages to see what they can do and where they can go within football whether it be playing, coaching, officiating or one of the many important supporting roles in the background.” 

Allen says that those thinking about refereeing shouldn’t think twice about the choice they’re going to make as the job can reap a number of awards

“For those who are thinking about it, just do it

“I was the first female referee in my old association when I first picked up the whistle and haven’t looked back

“It’s very rewarding, challenging and character building.”

She says that young referee’s should have a mentor and someone who can offer them guidance along their path

“For those young female referees, find a mentor you can work with for support. 

“I had a senior referee who mentored me through my junior years and as a senior referee I now have the opportunity to be the mentor.”

Allen says that referee’s should move into their field with an open mind, ready for everything as well as having fun while officiating.

“Always be willing to learn, I don’t believe there is a limit to the knowledge you can gain whilst refereeing

“Every game is different, no two scenarios are the same, that’s what I love about it, the challenge each time you walk out on the pitch.

“Evaluate your own games, self assessment is as important as someone watching your game to provide coaching.

“Finally enjoy it, refereeing whether as a referee or assistant is one of the best places on the pitch to be a part of the action.”

-By Nikola Pozder