'We need more young female football referees'

Lisa Benn was a referee in the 2022 UEFA Euro

A top referee in the Women's Super League is trying to encourage more young people to take up refereeing.

Lisa Benn has officiated local, national, and international tournaments and wants more teenagers interested in football, particularly women, to consider refereeing.

"I think I was one of the first [women] breaking through," she said.

However, after working with Sussex County FA, she says the organisation now has the highest number of female referees ever.

"The perception of referees is sometimes a bit challenging," Benn said.

"But referee development has grown substantially."

Benn hopes the 2025 European Championship may encourage more women to pursue a career in refereeing.

"The women's game is now in a really good, competitive place," she said.

"Let's continue to grow it and continue to support our new referees coming through."

There are approximately 80 women match officials in Sussex, making up less than 10% of all referees in the county, according to Sussex County FA.

Nationally, there are around 36,000, with approximately 3,000 of them being women.

Women match officials make up less than 10% of all referees in Sussex

Benn has helped to run a trainee course for referees aged 14 and above in Lancing, West Sussex.

Many of the students hope to transform the game in some way.

"I noticed that older referees are sometimes a bit soft in the girls' games," said Lily.

"I want to change that."

Will said he wanted to "give back to the community" by refereeing children's games on weekends.

"It's a great way to see the game from a new perspective," added Christian.