Football Tasmania has congratulated Tasmanian referee Lauren Hargrave for being chosen to officiate the W-League Grand Final this Sunday.
Hargrave has been selected as an Assistant Referee to run the line in the final between Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium in Sydney.
Football Tasmania Referee Manager Tony Peart said it was fantastic to see a Tasmanian chosen to perform on the highest football stage in Australia.
“Lauren has been a trailblazer for female referees in Tasmania, officiating for over ten years in the state and becoming a qualified assessor and instructor before moving to Canberra and refereeing in the W-League,” Mr Peart said.
“In 2019 she took charge of the first ever men’s top-flight match in Tasmania to be refereed by an all-female team, a feat she repeated last year in Canberra as an Assistant Referee in their top-flight men’s competition.
“It’s absolutely fantastic that her talent and dedication to the game has been recognised with the honour of being a part of one of the biggest matches on the Australian football calendar and I’m sure she will do herself, and the Tasmanian football family proud.
“Her appointment to the W-League Grand Final also sends a great message to other aspiring referees in Tasmania, showing them there are no limits to where the game can take them.”
Mr Peart said there were a number of upcoming referee training courses in Tasmania.
“Tasmanians interested in getting into refereeing can come along to an upcoming beginners course, which will be held in Hobart, Launceston and Devonport across April and May,” he said.
The upcoming courses are:
Level 4 - Beginners Referee Course in Launceston
14 and 15 April
Level 4 - Beginners Referee Course in Hobart
26 April and 10, 16 and 17 May
Returning Referees
27 and 28 April
Level 4 - Beginners Referee Course in Devonport
2 and 9 May
For more information on upcoming courses, visit:
https://footballfedtas.com.au/become-a-referee/
