First female EFL referee to take charge of Harrogate Town game
Rebecca Welch says she's "excited" to officiate Harrogate Town v Port Vale on Monday
The EFL's first female referee will take charge of Harrogate Town's game against Port Vale on Monday.
Rebecca Welch, who's refereed internationally and in the Women's Soccer League, says the appointment was a "shock".
"But I’m really excited and this what I’ve been working towards and to be given this opportunity to work in the EFL is amazing for me.
"This is the biggest achievement of my career. I’ve refereed at Wembley in the 2017 women’s FA Cup Final, which will always be a top highlight. But it’s good to achieve things and refereeing in the EFL on Monday will be the greatest so far.”
Welch says she wants to use the opportunity to set an example for other women who are thinking about taking up the whistle.
"I do think it’s important to show that women who are in the top 1% of their category can proceed to the next level so it definitely makes others down the period look up and know that they can achieve the same.
"It shows that there is a real opportunity to young girls who are wondering if they are able take the whistle, or are if they are already a referee they can aspire to be an EFL referee or like Sian Massey-Ellis who is currently operating in the Premier League.
Amy Fearn became the first female referee to officiate an EFL match in 2010, when she took over the last 20 minutes of Coventry City’s match against Nottingham Forest due to injury.
But Welch is the first woman to be appointed by the EFL to officiate a whole game.