Abstract
The sporting stage is one that can break down, but also uphold, gendered stereotypes. Therefore, the appointments of women in roles such as coaching, officiating, on boards, as CEOs and within sports journalism, do not come without challenges for women. This has been the case for female match officials and referees in sport around the world as detailed by a number of scholars. A number of these studies focus specifically on the experiences of women match officials in football (soccer). Specific challenges for match officials in football include dealing with sexist attitudes, dissenting voices, lack of female facilities and uniforms, and a perceived lack of (football) knowledge. The current study builds on the research carried out on female identified match officials and investigated such issues in a year where Australia co-hosted a Women’s World Cup. While, as a region, we celebrated the achievements and prestige of hosting a Women’s World Cup, we must also consider the experiences of all women in football, especially those who are rarely a focus of academic or mainstream enquiry. These women’s refereeing experiences and expertise varied, from community level (both junior and adults), at tournaments, sub-elite/state level, through to national/elite level football in Australia. Their experiences focus on two key themes, including ‘barriers and challenges’; and ‘abuse, discrimination and exclusion’. This paper details the experiences and perspectives of these participants through both their own words and through an analysis of survey data.
Presenters
Chelsea LitchfieldAssociate Professor and Associate Head of School, Allied Health, Exercise and Sport Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Charles Sturt University, Australia
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2025 Special Focus—Global Sports Local Cultures
KEYWORDS
Football, Official, World Cup, Women, Abuse
