Rebecca Welch hopes to pass on legacy to other female referees

Welch has officiated in some of the biggest events in football, including the Women’s FA Cup and Champions League finals, as well as the 2022 Women’s European Championship, when the Lionesses were crowned champions on home soil.

But Welch says her proudest moment was refereeing at Wembley Stadium for the first time and seeing that become a regular feature of the women’s game.

“The Women’s FA Cup final had only just started being played there – which is where it should be being played,” said Welch.

“That was special. It will always go down [as a proud moment] for me. But there are so many. I feel like I’ve grown in my career alongside the WSL.

“I was there from the start so my journey has been a part of that growth. We need to keep up with the growth of the WSL and as referees, be present.”

Referees in the WSL are not yet full-time and Welch says that is a discussion that “will be had” with the Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL).

“That is something I think will happen in the future. The league is full-time now and has been for a number of years,” she added.

“Although the referees are professional in everything they do, that full-time element is still missing. We will have some conversations and go from there.”

Welch’s decision to step away from refereeing came as a surprise but she admits it was “in the back of her mind” for a few months.

“I had been to Wembley, to the Euros, a World Cup and refereed in the Premier League and I always wanted to go out at the top of my game,” said Welch.

“I thought it would be nice to finish at a major tournament and the Olympic Games was a good one.

“The role at the PGMOL came at the right time which meant I could still be involved in the growth of the WSL and Women’s Championship going forward.”