Rebecca Welch Expresses Hope for Future Female Referees’ Legacy

Following her induction into the National Football Museum’s Hall of Fame, pioneering referee Rebecca Welch stated her desire for “somebody else picks up the legacy.” In 2021, the 40-year-old achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first woman to officiate an EFL match, overseeing the League Two fixture between Harrogate Town and Port Vale. Her career progressed to include officiating in the Championship and the third round of the men’s FA Cup, culminating in her refereeing the Premier League match between Fulham and Burnley at Craven Cottage in 2023. Welch has transitioned from active refereeing responsibilities to assume a managerial position within PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited), where she will focus on supporting and developing officials for the women’s game. During her Hall of Fame induction, Welch informed BBC Sport: “It’s a legacy that will go on for a few years and I’m happy for it to. “But in a few years’ time, I hope somebody else picks up that legacy and drives it further on from what I have.” She added, “That is what my new role is in the future. It would be nice if people are not talking about Rebecca Welch any more, but about another female official who has done the same as me and hopefully a little bit more.” The Football Association reported last month that 14 female referees are currently on football’s international list, representing a 113% increase in the number of women officials since 2020. PGMOL also noted that the Women’s Select Group, which comprises the sport’s leading female referees, has more than doubled in size since early 2022. Notable officials within this group include WSL referee Emily Carney, who collaborated with Welch at the Olympic Games this summer, and Abigail Byrne. Welch commented, “I think it’s a great opportunity for any female wanting to get into the game,” continuing, “Once you get involved in it, you get hooked. There’s no better time to be a female referee with the growth of the women’s game. It’s really exciting.” Rebecca Welch was the first female to referee a Premier League match. Welch’s officiating career encompassed major football events, such as the Women’s FA Cup and Champions League finals, and the 2022 Women’s European Championship, where the Lionesses secured the title on home ground. However, Welch identifies her proudest achievement as her initial experience refereeing at Wembley Stadium and witnessing its establishment as a regular venue for the women’s game. Welch stated, “The Women’s FA Cup final had only just started being played there – which is where it should be being played,” adding, “That was special. It will always go down [as a proud moment] for me. But there are so many. I feel like I’ve grown in my career alongside the WSL. “I was there from the start so my journey has been a part of that growth. We need to keep up with the growth of the WSL and as referees, be present.” The status of full-time referees in the WSL is currently pending, and Welch indicated that this matter “will be had” in discussions with the Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL). She further commented, “That is something I think will happen in the future. The league is full-time now and has been for a number of years,” noting, “Although the referees are professional in everything they do, that full-time element is still missing. We will have some conversations and go from there.” While Welch’s departure from active refereeing was unexpected, she acknowledged that the idea had been “in the back of her mind” for several months. Welch explained, “I had been to Wembley, to the Euros, a World Cup and refereed in the Premier League and I always wanted to go out at the top of my game,” adding, “I thought it would be nice to finish at a major tournament and the Olympic Games was a good one. “The role at the PGMOL came at the right time which meant I could still be involved in the growth of the WSL and Women’s Championship going forward.”