Nicole Baitup, Anna Baker and Emily Bigwood, who all passed the referee course in the last year, attended the event, along with their male counterparts, which was themed around ‘Building Confidence’, and saw the girls take part in three different practical sessions: Communication During Open Play, Managing Difficult Managers and Parents and Communication and Management at Set Pieces.

Female role models were also on hand to inspire the girls in the shape of Lisa Benn, a Level 4 referee, who was tutoring one of the sessions, and Jessica French from national RA-FA Youth Council.

Following the event Jessica said: "The night has been a great success and allowed for a fantastic learning opportunity for everyone there. I wish the girls the best in their refereeing careers."

The participants were equally as positive about the evening and said:

"I really enjoyed the event; it was great to have the opportunity in a safe environment to encounter how I would deal with an angry manager." - Emily Bigwood

"I enjoyed the whole evening and found each of the sessions really useful to aid my development as a referee, it was a really good evening where I increased my refereeing skills." - Nicole Baitup

"The evening was great as it allowed me to develop my refereeing skills for all common incidents which can occur in my matches." - Anna Baker

Opportunities for females to become referees, receive support and develop in both the male and female referee pathway are there and available for all. For further information about refereeing in Sussex please contact Referees’:

Referees'
T: 01903 768573
E: Referees@SussexFA.com