Rebecca Welch is set to be inducted into the National Football Museum’s Hall of Fame, after she made history becoming the first female referee in the Premier League.
The 40-year-old from Washington, Tyne and Wear, changed the course of history for female referees, as she was chosen to referee Burnley vs Fulham in December 2023, making her the first female referee to work in the top flight of English men’s football.
In addition to this, she was also the first female to referee a men’s game in the EFL Championship back in January 2023.
Welch is a big name in the women’s footballing world, as she refereed the FIFA Women’s World Cup in the summer of 2023, as well as regularly working on games within the WSL.
”It’s quite overwhelming, I was very honoured to be asked,” Welch said.
She is adding to a part of history that many want to be a part of, highlighting to young girls that they too can work as a referee in the men’s game.
She started as a female football player shortly after leaving college but was challenged to take up a referee training programme – a decision that would later change not only the course of her life, but many others too.
Rebecca Welch is no stranger to being a trailblazer, and this latest accolade marks a history of stellar moments in her career so far.
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