How to become a soccer referee
Louise Thompson, FIFA and NIFL Premiership referee, shares her journey from player to referee, highlighting the role of female referee development and the training process involved.
How to become a soccer referee
According to Bbc.
Context
Louise Thompson is currently a FIFA referee and female referee development officer at the NIFL Premiership. She has spent 14 years playing football in women's teams and is currently focusing on training and developing young female referees in Northern Ireland.
Why this is important
Louise Thompson's journey from player to referee is not only a personal story but also reflects the development of women's football. She plays a key role in encouraging and developing female referees, helping to increase the presence of women in the field. This not only improves the quality of refereeing but also creates new opportunities for the next generation of female referees.
Main point
- How to become a soccer referee.
- Louise Thompson, FIFA and NIFL Premiership referee, shares her journey from player to referee, highlighting the role of female referee development and the training process involved.
- How to become a football referee - BBC Bitesize.
With a love of soccer since childhood, Louise Thompson has pursued her passion, first as a player and now as a referee. Not only does she officiate matches in FIFA and the NIFL Premiership, she also works for the Irish Football Association as a female referee development officer, recruiting and developing young female referees. "Honestly, it's one of the most rewarding things I've ever done," she shares.
Louise, currently a FIFA referee and referee at the NIFL Premiership in Northern Ireland, is responsible for the development of female referees in Northern Ireland. She strives to recruit, retain and provide them with experience so they can progress further in their refereeing careers. “We run initial recruitment courses, then courses for new referees, helping them understand the Rules of the Game, and practice on the pitch with different situations such as managing free kicks, how to set up a penalty structure, and how to interact with players and coaches,” said Louise.
Football has always been a passion of mine since I was young, but at that time there weren't many women's teams, so I often played in men's teams until I was 14, the minimum age to join a women's team. I was involved in women's football for 14 years, including playing in the Women's Premiership. Becoming a referee was an unexpected opportunity for me. During a match I suffered a serious knee injury and seeing that a refereeing course was being advertised, I signed up. I also enrolled in a coaching course at about the same time, but eventually decided to become a referee.
During my studies, I always chose PE and studied PE at GCSE and A-level. When I went to university, I studied sports and exercise science, which helped me better understand the body and how to train. I advise everyone to try refereeing. No one knows in advance that they can succeed in this role until they try. It may not have been easy, but it was one of the most rewarding things I've ever done.
"When I stepped out into the national stadium as a referee of a major final, it was truly an unbelievable moment," she shared. For those who want to become a referee, it is possible to take local refereeing courses from an early age. The minimum age to become a qualified referee varies by country: England: 14, Northern Ireland: 14, Scotland: 16, Wales: 14.
The necessary skills for a referee include people management, communication, confidence, staying calm under pressure and making accurate decisions. Some of Louise's career highlights include refereeing the Irish Women's Cup final just 11 months after qualifying as a referee and being involved in officiating the Champions League match at Parc Olympique Lyonnais between Lyon and Benfica.
She affirmed that the current development of women's football opens up many opportunities and everyone should boldly try to become a referee. Remember, the referee profession is not simply about following the law but also a journey of personal development and discovering new things.
What happens next
Louise Thompson is expected to continue her work at the Irish Football Association, where she will continue to recruit and develop young female referees. She can also participate in training courses and seminars to improve the skills of new referees. With the development of women's football, her role will be increasingly important in shaping the future of this sport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Louise Thompson?
Louise Thompson is a FIFA and NIFL Premiership football referee in Northern Ireland, who is also the women's referee development officer at the Irish Football Association.
Where did Louise Thompson play soccer before becoming a referee?
Before becoming a referee, Louise Thompson played soccer for 14 years, including participating in the Women's Premiership.
What did Louise Thompson do to develop female referees?
She recruited, retained and provided experience to young female referees, organizing recruitment and training courses for them.
Why did Louise Thompson decide to become a referee?
She decided to become a referee after suffering a serious knee injury and seeing a refereeing course being advertised.
What did Louise Thompson study related to sports?
She studied physical education at GCSE and A-level, and then studied sports and exercise science at university.
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