Rebecca Welch penned her name in history on Saturday, December 23, 2023, when she became the first woman to referee a Premier League encounter.
Welch officiated the game involving Fulham and Burnley, which ended 2-0 in favor of the away side.
Rebecca Welch became a referee in 2010 when she did it side by side with a job in the NHS.
In 2019, Welch became a full-time referee, and fast-forward to January 2023, the 40-year-old began adjudicating over matches in the Championship.
She became the first woman to referee a men's encounter in the Championship, as she officiated the game involving Birmingham City and Preston North End.
Rebecca Welch also served as the fourth official during Fulham's 1-0 Premier League loss to Manchester United on November 4, 2023.
Speaking after the game, Vincent Kompany, who spoke to Welch at full-time, expressed that he discussed with Rebecca Welch to congratulate her on the big moment.
Kompany said: “I wanted to congratulate her because it's a big moment.
“After the game, it's fair to say that it's a milestone moment, and may there be more, and the best thing will always be when someone is judged on merit.
“But you have to have a first and this is it, so well done to her and I'm happy to be part of this moment.”
Rebecca Welch also became the first woman to oversee an FA Cup third-round encounter in 2022 after she was added to the EFL's national list for men's football.
This national list is for referees who would oversee both League One and League Two encounters.
The 40-year-old apparently hails from Washington in Tyne and Wear and has been a source of inspiration for English officials in the Women's Super League.
Rebecca Welch's impressive showing has been recognized on the international stage as well, as she was included in FIFA's elite list of international match officials in December 2020.
Welsh was also among the referees who officiated at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand in the summer.
PGMOL refereeing chief Howard Webb also spoke highly of Rebecca Welch, saying that she is “really a good model for women and girls”.
Webb said: “She went to the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. She has been exposed to some big games and is a really good model for women and girls to think refereeing is for them when previously they didn't.”
Meanwhile, in July 2023, the Football Association tabled programs to bring on board 50% more referees from “historically under-represented” backgrounds by 2026.
This will reportedly bring an increase of 1000 women referees and 1000 black or Asian referees at all levels of football in 2026.
Welch officiated the game involving Fulham and Burnley, which ended 2-0 in favor of the away side.
Rebecca Welch became a referee in 2010 when she did it side by side with a job in the NHS.
In 2019, Welch became a full-time referee, and fast-forward to January 2023, the 40-year-old began adjudicating over matches in the Championship.
She became the first woman to referee a men's encounter in the Championship, as she officiated the game involving Birmingham City and Preston North End.
Rebecca Welch also served as the fourth official during Fulham's 1-0 Premier League loss to Manchester United on November 4, 2023.
Speaking after the game, Vincent Kompany, who spoke to Welch at full-time, expressed that he discussed with Rebecca Welch to congratulate her on the big moment.
Kompany said: “I wanted to congratulate her because it's a big moment.
“After the game, it's fair to say that it's a milestone moment, and may there be more, and the best thing will always be when someone is judged on merit.
“But you have to have a first and this is it, so well done to her and I'm happy to be part of this moment.”
Rebecca Welch also became the first woman to oversee an FA Cup third-round encounter in 2022 after she was added to the EFL's national list for men's football.
This national list is for referees who would oversee both League One and League Two encounters.
The 40-year-old apparently hails from Washington in Tyne and Wear and has been a source of inspiration for English officials in the Women's Super League.
Rebecca Welch's impressive showing has been recognized on the international stage as well, as she was included in FIFA's elite list of international match officials in December 2020.
Welsh was also among the referees who officiated at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand in the summer.
PGMOL refereeing chief Howard Webb also spoke highly of Rebecca Welch, saying that she is “really a good model for women and girls”.
Webb said: “She went to the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. She has been exposed to some big games and is a really good model for women and girls to think refereeing is for them when previously they didn't.”
Meanwhile, in July 2023, the Football Association tabled programs to bring on board 50% more referees from “historically under-represented” backgrounds by 2026.
This will reportedly bring an increase of 1000 women referees and 1000 black or Asian referees at all levels of football in 2026.