Football Tasmania has congratulated Tasmanian referee Lauren Hargrave for being recognised among Australia’s finest football match officials after her appointment to FIFA’s Panel of International Referees for 2022 by Football Australia.
The appointment means Ms Hargrave, who was one of four new additions to the 28 person Australian list, can now be selected to officiate FIFA sanctioned tournaments and fixtures as an assistant referee.
Football Tasmania CEO Matt Bulkeley said Ms Hargrave’s selection was testament to her talent and dedication over more than a decade of refereeing experience, and was made all the more exciting with the upcoming 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be held in Australia in New Zealand.
“Lauren has been a trailblazer for female referees in Tasmania, officiating for over ten years in the state before taking on A-League Women’s matches after moving to Canberra,” Mr Bulkeley said.
“She took charge of the first ever men’s top-flight match in Tasmania to be refereed by an all-female team, and repeated this feat in Canberra as an Assistant Referee in their top-flight men’s competition.
“On behalf of the Tasmanian football community I’d like to congratulate Lauren for now being chosen to take the next step onto the world stage, which is an amazing achievement and testament to her hard work, talent and drive.
“We look forward to watching Lauren’s progress as she continues to make Tasmanian football proud, and we hope to see her on the world stage soon – perhaps even in a 2023 World Cup fixture on home soil which is a tremendously exciting prospect.”
Mr Bulkeley encouraged Tasmanians to consider taking up refereeing to keep fit, make money and have fun.
“Referees are an integral part of football, and as Lauren has shown there are great pathways for Tasmanians to reach the highest levels of our game,”
“I’d encourage anyone interested in becoming a referee to visit www.footballfedtas.com.au to find out more.”