ASPIRING referee Chloe Smart feels there has never been a better time for women in football after taking charge of the first Oxfordshire boys’ final to feature an all-female team of officials.

Smart, assistants Elle Kaplicz and Victoria Farries and fourth official Holly Clack were handed control of the Oxfordshire Under 15 Youth Cup final, which saw Thame triumph 3-1 over Crowmarsh after extra time at Kidlington.

And though she admitted to suffering some nerves, Smart said she hopes it will prove an important step towards breaking down the barriers that have previously held back female referees.

“It was huge for us,” she said.

“The first thing I said when I arrived was how nervous I was and my assistant said exactly the same thing.

“Fortunately it all seemed to go well and we didn’t have any problems.”


The 16-year-old, from Witney, added: “You would never have got this a few years ago.

“No-one was promoting female officials then and the opportunities weren’t really there, whereas now it’s completely different.

“The Oxfordshire FA in particular are very good at putting us up for these kind of things.

“Not only do they promote us, but they’re very good with all they do to support us as well.”

And Smart, who harbours Premier League ambitions, said the future is bright for a cohort of female referees taking their first steps in the game.

“I think there are a lot of women referees coming through all over the country now,” she said.

“There has always been a women’s pathway with regard to refereeing at the top, but it’s much more clear now.

“I think we’ve still got a long way to before we have four female officials in charge of a game in the Premier League, but there are definitely enough female referees coming through with the potential.

“I’m hoping to go right to the top and this was a big stepping stone towards that.”