Just noticed the 4th official on this match recap: http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/scoreboard/game.jsp?match=06262004_KCSJ I believe this is the first time a female referee has worked an MLS match since 2000. At the very least, it's the first time one has worked since WUSA commenced play. I wonder if this is an indication of things to come, and we'll see our female FIFAs back in MLS as CRs or ARs. Then again, it could just be an anomaly; Seitz hasn't been listed as an attendee on any of the conference calls this year and she is from Cal-North, so maybe it was just a matter of convenience.
Do they have to wear sexier clothing this time around? Seriously though, this is good, all it does is increase competition and make a greater pool of competent officials available.
This is currently a serious push from FIFA to have female officials at female tournaments including the Women's World Cup. We are seeing the push here in New Zealand and it is now common to see female referees and ARs controlling matches at all levels.
Anyone concerned that female refs (AR's in particular) would have difficulty keeping up with a Men's Professional League game? Serious Question, not a "macho" statement.
I don't think female referees would have a problem keeping up with game from the middle at all. If she's got presence and man-management skills a female referee will do fine. Plus, women have run middles in MLS already without a noticable problem. There may be some issues with ARs IMO due to raw speed only and I say that because the players are almost always going to be a step or two quicker than even the best male ARs and my experience at fitness tests and such the females are a bit slower than the males on the sprints. However, Brazil uses women on lines in their top league and they do a very nice job. I don't think women will get the games unless they are ready though.
I'm pretty sure this joke has worn out by now. we can file it along with "friedel would have saved it" and "fixed your post"....
And she's being rewarded with a trip to Athens: http://www.smdailyjournal.org/article.cfm?issue=06-19-04&storyID=31999
Good to see you are promoting your female colleagues! You may be interested to know that three woman have just been promoted onto the National List of Assistant Referees of England. They are Wendy Toms (who got demoted after being a PL asst for failing her fitness test, and has finally been re-promoted), Alison Chapman and Amy Rayner. All 3 are FIFA Women officials, with Wendy the FIFA ref of the three. Good to see a woman back on top flight English football again!
Ah, so that's what happened to her. I've always liked Wendy Ann. How'd she fail her fitness test? She's got to be nearing mandatory retirement from FIFA, and surely knows better than to lapse that way. Kari Seitz is good, too. I'm deeply sentimental about Sandy Hunt, since she is who got me back into soccer in college in the first place, but Sandy's done with the FIFA matches, and I haven't seen her since the WUSA exhibition. And I like Jennifer Bennett. She can keep up with anyone.
I'm not entirely sure why she failed the fitness test. However, Wendy is 41, 42 on 16/10, so not near the FIFA limit yet. Btw, her name is Wendy Toms not Ann You may be interested to know that her re-promotion is proving quite controversial in England because of her age and the level she was. Keep an eye out for Amy Rayner though. She is only 26, and I reckon she'll be England's first ever female top-flight referee.
Anyone know what Catherine Hepburn is doing nowadays? She made FIFA ranks 1995-96 but resigned after never getting assigned to a men's game. She paid a high price to make a statement that has now helped other women refs. I remember her husband was close to FIFA level, too, but has not made it. Perhaps he was too close to the fire.
That does interest me. And it's Wendy Ann Toms, of Poole, Dorset, I believe. Unless she lied Hence my moniker for her. She's been around since 1985 or so, if memory serves; I'm amazed she's only 41. I'm interested in Amy Rayner. Didn't she do some of the Women's FA Cup games on the line? I'm trying to place her name... And where is Catherine Hepburn? I haven't seen her in years. She loved giving out cards in those '95 Cup matches. Especially that awful Japan-Brazil game where poor Sissi must have been cleated about ten times. Rough times.
You are correct sir! It is Wendy Ann Toms, my mistake, but we know her as Wendy Toms. Wrt Amy Rayner, she was an assistant on Conference games last season, if you get those games in America, you will have seen her. She also refereed the Womens FA Cup final last season.
From what I have seen, the female refs in Brazil do a far better job than their male counterparts. I remember a game last season (Sao Paulo vs Corinthians) where they had a team of 3 female officials and they did exceptionally well. Back in the UK, I think I'm right in saying that Wendy Toms sent-off 3 players in her first Nationwide Conference match. She's definately no push-over!
For those that are interested, Wendy is an assistant at Yeovil this weekend, while Amy and Alison are FOs. Also, Amy Rayner has a Conference middle on the 21st iirc.