Football Australia has announced that for the first time ever an all-female Match Officials Panel will officiate an Isuzu UTE A-League Men match this Wednesday, January 1 in Sydney.
In what will become history-making for the competition, six highly qualified and experienced female match officials will take charge of the fixture between Western Sydney Wanderers FC and Macarthur FC, highlighting the continued progress and dedication of female officials in Australia.
The milestone reflects Football Australia’s ongoing commitment to creating a world class environment for referee development and increased opportunities for Australian referees as outlined in the XI Principles for the future of Australian football.
Queenslander Casey Reibelt will hold the whistle for the match after becoming just the second woman to oversee an Isuzu UTE A-League Men match in 2022 and in following year, became the first Australian woman to referee in the AFC Champions League.
Reibelt will be assisted in the VAR by Football Victoria’s Kate Jacewicz, who was made history as the first woman to referee an Isuzu UTE A-League Men match in 2020 and has also been named Ninja A-League Women Referee of the Year a record eight times.
Patrolling the sidelines will be Assistant Referees’ Emma Kocbek and Maddy Allum, both from Football NSW, and both of whom made their first appearances in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men earlier this month after several seasons in the Ninja A-League Women.
Football Australia is proud to announce that for the first time ever an all-female Match Officials Panel will officiate an Isuzu UTE A-League Men match this Wednesday (1 January) in Sydney.https://t.co/GSbX5dVvJP
— Football Australia (@FootballAUS) December 29, 2024
Vastly experienced referee Rebecca Durcau from Queensland, who has officiated three Ninja A-League Women Grand Finals and served as Additional Assistant Referee in a further three Ninja A-League Women Grand Finals, will be the Fourth Official.
Rounding out the panel will be Joanna Charaktis (Football Victoria), who was recently appointed as an Assistant Referee for the Paris 2024™ Olympic Games.
Head of Referees at Football Australia Jon Moss praised the deserved appointments and stressed their impact on the future of female referees.
“Wednesday’s match marks a historic occasion for both female match officials and Australian football,” Moss said.
“This achievement reflects the quality and dedication of our female referees and by having an all-female Match Officials Panel oversee an Isuzu UTE A-League Men match, demonstrates the strides we have made in creating inclusive pathways for officiating.
“The Panel brings a wealth of experience and professionalism to the pitch and their accomplishments at domestic and international levels emphasises the high standard of female officials in Australia.
“I hope their appearance encourages young women across the country to consider their own refereeing journey and take up opportunities to become match officials.”
