Amy Fearn was the first woman to referee an EFL game as she came on as an injury replacement in the 2010 Championship game between Coventry and Nottingham Forest. Skip to main content. On February 9, 2010, Amy Fearn became the first woman to referee an English Football League match when she took charge of the last 20 minutes of Coventry City's contest against Nottingham Forest after an injury to an official. Last modified on Wed 31 Mar 2021 05.11 BST. (CNN)Rebecca Welch made history on Monday as she became the first appointed female referee to take charge of an English Football League (EFL) game. The 34-year-old is hoping to become the first female referee in Football League history, and says being a female referee in men's football can be an advantage. The … "I remember at 25 when I first refereed a football league game and that was unheard of. She will … "In the last 10 years I've put a lot of hard work and commitment in and I've reaped the rewards from that by getting promoted. Euro 2020: Stephanie Frappart to become first female referee to officiate at a men’s European Championships. When Rebecca Welch blows her whistle at Harrogate Town’s home fixture with Port Vale next Monday, a significant milestone in English football will finally have been reached. It is the highest standard for a female referee yet in the men’s game and, it is hoped, a harbinger of much more progress. The 37-year-old from County Durham has become the first woman selected to referee a men’s match in the English Football League. In 2010, Amy Fearn refereed the final 20 minutes of Coventry against Nottingham Forest following an injury to the match official, but Welch is the first woman to be appointed to a game. Stéphanie Frappart takes centre stage in big moment for women in football | Suzanne Wrack, Women's Club World Cup could happen 'fairly soon', says ECA chief executive. Rebecca Welch has become the first female referee to be appointed to an English Football League match as she prepares to take charge of the League Two clash between Harrogate Town and Port Vale next week, the EFL said on Tuesday. The English Football League has appointed its first female referee to officiate a game. “In the last 10 years I’ve put a lot of hard work and commitment in and I’ve reaped the rewards from that by getting promoted. The 37 … tommcadams 44 seconds ago. Welch will now whistle on the fourth level for the men. "But I'd never seen myself as a trailblazer until the last year where I've started to accept it because I think it's important that people who are fortunate enough to be in my position or similar can show people that this can be done. Amy Fearn came on as an injury substitute to referee an EFL game in 2010, but only Welch has been appointed to take charge of a full match. Rebecca Welch has become the first female referee to be appointed to an English Football League match as she prepares to take charge of the League Two clash between Harrogate Town and Port Vale next week, the EFL said on Tuesday. Being given this opportunity to work in the EFL is amazing for me.". Welch to take charge of Harrogate v Port Vale on Monday, ‘This opportunity to work in the EFL is amazing for me’. The perfect match. She was profiled by The … However, Welch will become the first female referee appointed to an EFL fixture. “Sarah Thomas has again made history as the first female Super Bowl official,” Troy Vincent Sr., NFL executive vice president of football operations, said in announcing her forthcoming appearance. Rebecca Welch has made history by becoming the first woman appointed to referee a game in the English Football League.. After more than a decade in the game and as the highest-ranked female referee in English football, this afternoon Welch will take charge of the League Two clash between Harrogate Town and Port Vale. Webb and Steinhaus took advantage of the last international period to get married. It is this type of sacrifice which epitomises Roble’s journey to become Britain’s first female, hijab-wearing football referee. Last year the chairman of the Referees’ Association, Paul Field, said that female officials suffered because of a previous lack of investment in the women’s game and that it would be a decade before a woman was refereeing a Premier League match. "It shows that there is a real opportunity for young girls who are wondering if they are to take the whistle or who are already referees, that they can aspire to be an EFL referee or like Sian Massey-Ellis operating in the Premier League. Meet Sarah Thomas - first female NFL official referee. 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