Author Topic: Rebecca Welch becomes first female referee to be appointed to EFL game. (Read 1739 times)

guest42 · « **on:** Tue 30 Mar 2021 12:04 »

Rebecca Welch has become the first female referee to be appointed to a game in the English Football League, it has been announced.

The highest-ranking female referee in English football will take charge of the League Two clash between Harrogate Town and Port Vale on Monday.

Welch has been selected after an ongoing review of her performances this season and her appointment has been approved by referee chiefs Mike Riley and Mike Jones.

Toprefm · « **Reply #1 on:** Tue 30 Mar 2021 12:26 »

Congratulations to Rebecca

ajb95 · « **Reply #2 on:** Tue 30 Mar 2021 12:38 »

Why does the appointment need to be approved by Riley and Jones??

I won’t say it’s deserved because in the handful of games I’ve seen her she’s been average at best; obviously the observers have been seeing something different!

Good luck to her! 👍

justalino · « **Reply #3 on:** Tue 30 Mar 2021 15:59 »

Quote from: ajb95 on Tue 30 Mar 2021 12:38

Why does the appointment need to be approved by Riley and Jones??

I won’t say it’s deserved because in the handful of games I’ve seen her she’s been average at best; obviously the observers have been seeing something different!

Good luck to her! 👍

Well Mike Jones is the National Group director so he would have made the appointment. I think 'approved' may be just a media slant. Would be very unlike them not to be reporting accurately

Whistleblower · « **Reply #4 on:** Tue 30 Mar 2021 16:32 »

It's always good when someone gets a chance to prove themselves at a higher level than their current grade and Rebecca Welch is to be congratulated for receiving this opportunity. She must have the best marks of the cadre of 2A referees, I can't think of any other explanation.

This will be the first time there will be a female refereeing in the EFL. I did smile slightly when I saw it was going to be at Harrogate, that home of Betty's and bastion of English gentility and refinement; though for all I know the players of Harrogate Town might be a right awkward and testy bunch of blighters and I know nothing at all about the current reputation of Port Vale.

Whistleblower · « **Reply #5 on:** Tue 30 Mar 2021 16:37 »

I have never seen Rebecca Welch referee. My only knowledge of her happened at Dover Athletic. One of the regulars, in the very pleasant hospitality area there, realising that I was in the Match Officials' party, said to me " we had that lady referee a couple of weeks ago". I asked how she had done " damn sight better than most of the men " came the bathetic reply. My fellow conversationalist was of a mature age but I found it interesting that he referred to Ms Welch as " lady" rather than woman or female.

bmb · « **Reply #6 on:** Tue 30 Mar 2021 17:33 »

Congratulations to her - hope she has an amazing game.

PhiltheRef · « **Reply #7 on:** Tue 30 Mar 2021 17:42 »

Refereed Altrincham away at Halifax in National League
Did okay, better than a number of male officials I have seen this season.
Did appear at times to be "bullied " somewhat by Halifax but she wasn't the first 2A bullied this season and won't be the last

Bakis · « **Reply #8 on:** Tue 30 Mar 2021 18:14 »

Congratulations to her, an historic moment.
Because the Women's Super League has continued, and so female officials have had more appointments than male colleagues, might one or two of them be in a strong position for promotion from 3 to 2B?

Blind Referee · « **Reply #9 on:** Tue 30 Mar 2021 18:49 »

Interesting this one

Normally the top performing / best marked referees at this level are appointed to a 1st Round FA Cup game, and or FA Trophy quarter final - don’t recall Rebecca being appointed to either of these

As I say, interesting ......

Best of luck to her

anje-roo · « **Reply #10 on:** Tue 30 Mar 2021 18:54 »

Excellent news. The big "but" is, whether it's Rebecca or a chap, why has it taken until she's 37? Perhaps she has had more hurdles to jump over, but it still feels to me that our officials make it to UEFA when they're in their mid/late 30s. I understand that only 10, at most, will make it onto UEFA as referees in any year. England isn't the only country so impacted (Italy for example). Rebecca is already on UEFA's list so perhaps there's a bit of pressure from UEFA. Doesn't necessarily mean that there have to be ageist/anti-ageist policies etc but sport generally does need to appreciate that officials' recognition/promotion could be accelerated in line with the players.

Of course, it may be that in years to come, women's sports will be equal in every respect. But, for the time being, great credit to the likes of Rebecca who has shown that women can officiate in the men's game and reach the top of the officiating pyramid. No need for any more anecdotes - everything is recorded etc so there's no escaping detailed factual attention without bias. Hopefully she'll be joined by other ladies before too long (but I won't be holding my breath).

bmb · « **Reply #11 on:** Tue 30 Mar 2021 19:51 »

Quote from: anje-roo on Tue 30 Mar 2021 18:54

Excellent news. The big "but" is, whether it's Rebecca or a chap, why has it taken until she's 37? Perhaps she has had more hurdles to jump over, but it still feels to me that our officials make it to UEFA when they're in their mid/late 30s.

I don't think the long complex pyramid system helps. It takes roughly 10 years minimum to work your way up from the lowest rung in the adult game to be in contention for the FL so even a referee starting at 16 is going to take until age 26 to even be in contention for the FL. *There is an occasional exception like Michael Oliver* Then you're looking at 2 years FL, 2 years, SG2 and 2 years SG (roughly) before even being in consideration for a FIFA badge. Assuming back to back promotions, getting invited to the FL list as soon as you reach the right level, and a fairly quick rise up the leagues you are looking at 14-16 years minimum. Even starting as a 16yr old child, they'll be 30/32 at the youngest. The vast majority won't have that flawless quick rise, a couple of years between promotions somewhere along the way, 3-5 years to get invited to the FL because there is just no opportunities and there you are mid - late 30's before even being eligible.

I'm sure it's not only the UK. Kassai Viktor, however, made his debut in the mens game at age 17 (11.04.93 Ászár v Császár in case you're interested)

before making his debut on the NBIII, the lowest 'professional' league at age 19, 2 years instead of roughly 10, and made his debut in the top flight 20.03.99 in a match between Zalaegerszeg v BVSC. He did 2 years on the NBIII and 2 on the NBII then made his international debut after 18 months on the NBI. (24.10.2000 UEFA Regions Cup, Plovdiv Province Bulgaria v Eastern Slovakia, while in the UEFA talent group.) It's a quicker route because the pyramid is smaller & less complex. Granted for our refs have to start in Group 3 not group 2, which adds in a couple of extra years on the road to the elite list but to reach eligibility in the first place is quicker & easier. The case is the same across many of the smaller nations because the pyramid is less complex/smaller.

JCFC · « **Reply #12 on:** Tue 30 Mar 2021 20:02 »

Congratulations to Ms Welch.

I saw her in 2013 at Tow Law, (with James Westgate on the line), where she did a decent job, but at that stage did not appear outstanding. Obviously she has developed well in the intervening years.

Similarly with Simon Mather: On first sighting at Clitheroe he was efficient, though appeared to lack a little sparkle, though when sighted subsequently he offered rather more.

Both are very competent, but neither would have been in my top 5 of candidates for promotion. How little I know!

As further proof - if any were needed - that I have little understanding of refereeing, one recently elevated official would not have been in my top 15, yet seems to be doing well. I first saw Ben Speedie at Mossley early in his first season at Level 3, and was not greatly impressed. In this I must have been mistaken, as he was appointed to the NWCFL Cup final at the end of that season - a testing match, in which he struggled. In fairness, after his promotion to 2B, he eprformed well the one time I saw him in the middle, and his work as 4th Official has been good.

Any official, therefore, that has attracted criticism from JCFC should ignore any negative comments. Sadly, the reverse probably applies too.

JCFC · « **Reply #13 on:** Tue 30 Mar 2021 20:25 »

Quote from: bmb on Tue 30 Mar 2021 19:51

I don't think the long complex pyramid system helps.

Since Michael Oliver's days, the introduction of Level 2B and SG 2 has increased the number of hurdles. At least Scotland allows for mid-season promotions, and counts the two years at the top level from the time of promotion to Category 1.

In comparison to England, of the 10 German FIFA referees:

Zwayer was appointed at 30 (despite a hiatus at the time of the Hoyzer affair)
Aytekin and Brych at 31
Dingert and Stieler at 32
Dankert at 33
Fritz, Stegemann and Osmers at 34.

Vernon Bear · « **Reply #14 on:** Tue 30 Mar 2021 20:34 »

She was excellent on the Stockport v Yeovil BT game a few weeks ago and is up there with the best refs County have had this season. She correctly sent off a Yeovil defender for a cynical foul on Southam Hales in injury time at the end when it would have been easy to let it go and show yellow. Wasn't great in our game with Barrow last year but was excellent in the Yeovil game mentioned above. Deserving of this opportunity in my opinion.

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Author Topic: Rebecca Welch becomes first female referee to be appointed to EFL game. (Read 1739 times)

guest42

Rebecca Welch becomes first female referee to be appointed to EFL game.

Toprefm

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ajb95

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justalino

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Whistleblower

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bmb

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PhiltheRef

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Bakis

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anje-roo

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bmb

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