I first got involved with football 16 years ago as a parent watching my son Jamie and got roped in to organising the boys and equipment and then to becoming first aider. I then took my level one in preparation to manage a girls team from Bromyard in the Mercian league. My daughters Jess and Zena decided they wanted to play football so ended up going to Hereford to find a team for them. I was soon encouraged to start an under 10s team for my younger daughter Zena as there wasn't a team for her to join unlike there was for Jess who was able to play at under 14s a year above her age group. I ended up starting up an under 11s team and within the first season we had won the double winning the league and league cup. We thrived to stay as a team up until the girls went to under 15s and won the league on 3 consecutive seasons.

At the age of 36 I played a friendly for Malvern Town Ladies and haven't looked back, just wish I’d started playing so much earlier. When Malvern gained promotion I opted to stay in the what was Hereford and Worcester League, currently known as Midwest Counties female football league and joined Leominster Ladies, I was then asked if myself and Zena could join Welland and got transferred after the Christmas break. I still currently play at Welland Ladies and captain the team.

I joined the league as player rep and at the end of last season and agreed to take on the role as referees appointments secretary. I was then advised that it would be a good thing if I did my referees course.....I’m so glad I had that little nudge. It has completely changed my life.

Back in September I went on the referees course....felt so much like a brain overload !! After completing my training I headed out on my first game....Little Perdiswell...really nice friendly Manager that to be fair gave me the confidence....he was very complimentary and encouraging. I still get the odd phone call now asking if there is any chance I could do his game. It always makes me chuckle as I have his number saved in my phone so know exactly who it is.
After completing my final assessment exam I was given a variety of games to referee. Some could have gone better but after beating myself up over it and speaking to my mentor and other referees, it seems that most referees go through this including premiership referees as i found out at an RA meeting held in Evesham.

I think my worst experience so far, which on reflection to stories I have heard, is not bad at all, is when you hear from the sidelines REFEREE !! You look across and there are 20 parents all stood there, all saying something but you’re not quite sure and then the muttering continues, its that feeling you have done something wrong but whatever it is you haven't seen it, but then you dread blowing the final whistle as you don't know quite what to expect. As yet nothing has ever been said after the game apart from thanks ref you did well there. I have since learnt to ignore/shut out comments and calls from the sidelines.

One of my funniest moments was when all through the first half of a game I kept hearing Ref, Ref, Ref but looking towards the managers no one looked like they were trying to get my attention so confused I carried on until half time and called both managers in to ask if they had called me at all through the game. It turned out the one of the teams midfielders was called Raff… they agreed with the player that they would call him Dave for the 2nd half!

I would encourage more females to do the referees course, most junior teams really think its an honour to have a female ref the comments are usually positive and they are normally quite friendly. A lot of managers actually comment to that it’s nice to see a female ref and there should be more of us.
Worcestershire FA Have been really supportive and they have a fantastic team of people that are there to help out with any issues or questions no matter how big or small and the friends I have made along the way has made me feel that I belong to a refereeing family and we are all there to give each other encouragement and share stories and that your never completely out there on your own. I must admit I was dubious about entering what I used to class as a mans world but in all fairness every male referee I have come across, right across the levels have been very accepting and supportive. I just wish I had taken this step years ago but I'm looking forward to enjoying many years of refereeing to come.

If you are feeling inspired to take up the whistle click here to learn more about refereeing.