Football Federation Tasmania waved goodbye to one of its finest contributors on Saturday with Lauren Hargrave officiating her final game before departing for Canberra. Following the game she was given a guard of honour by the South Hobart and Kingborough players in recognition of her efforts.
Lauren has been an official with Football federation Tasmania for 10 years, where she has progressed on to the W League AR panel since the 2016/2017 season.
She has proved to be a valuable member of the Referee technical committee, championing both the pathway for female officials and supporting any referee who wished to further develop and improve themselves.
She has been both an instructor at Level 3 and a level 3 assessor alongside taking practical training sessions to improve her own and others skills and fitness.
If Lauren had been with us for the upcoming season she would have been on our NPL Referee’s Panel undertaking her level 1 qualification as soon as would have been possible.
Football Federation Tasmania Referee Manager Tony Peart wished Hargrave all the best for her future and paid homage to her contribution to the game in Tasmania,
"I’m very sorry to be losing from our state what I have found to be not only a high-quality match official but a high-quality person full of integrity. I wish Lauren every success in her officiating career and we thank her for the work she has done for Tasmanian football.
We would welcome her back to the state at any point to continue her journey but nothing would make us prouder if it was part of FIFA world cup team in 2023."
Hargrave's progression to the W-League panel has shown what can be achieved and Peart hoped that more female referees would take up the whistle and follow in her footsteps.
As part of female football week there will be a female only refereeing course held on Friday 2nd March from 7pm-9.30pm and Saturday 3rd March from 9.00am– 5pm. The location is to be confirmed depending on number of applicants from either North or South. You can indicate your interest in that course via the following form.
