Football Australia Unveils National Female Referee Mentor Program

Football Australia has officially launched its Female Referee Mentor Program, a national initiative aimed at empowering and retaining female officials.

Announced to coincide with the start of Female Football Week 2026, the program is a designed to professionalise the officiating pathway and bridge the gap between grassroots participation and elite-level leadership.

The initiative is backed by the Australian Government’s $200 million ‘Play Our Way’ grant, a record-breaking commitment to women’s and girls’ sporting programs.

Commenting on the partnership, Football Australia CEO, Martin Kugeler, said:  “This program reflects a strong commitment to building a more inclusive and sustainable officiating pathway… ensuring talented female referees feel supported to stay in the game.” 

Noting that supporting programs like this is a cornerstone of the Albanese Government’s sport policy, Minister for Sport, Anika Wells, noted: “We want to see more girls and women involved in sport at every level and supporting programs like this helps make that happen.” 

Addressing the Retention Gap

Targeting the critical 18–26 age bracket, the program addresses industry-wide retention challenges by providing emerging referees with a sense of belonging and a clear trajectory into professional ranks. Key features of the mentorship structure include:

• One-on-One Guidance: Mentees are paired with current and former A-League officials for six structured sessions covering match performance and career progression.
• Elite Mentors: The program features distinguished Australian referees, including Casey Reibelt and Lara Lee, to provide first-hand insights into officiating at the highest global levels.
• Holistic Development: Beyond technical officiating, participants will attend workshops focused on leadership, media skills, communication, and wellbeing.

To ensure a deeper connection to the professional game, mentees will have opportunities to observe elite training environments and experience A-League matchdays behind the scenes. This visibility is intended to reinforce refereeing as a valued and attainable career path within the women’s football ecosystem.

The program also encourages the development of a national cohort, allowing participants to engage in peer learning and long-term networking aligned with major domestic football events.

Expressions of Interest are now open to female referees actively officiating within Member Federations who demonstrate a commitment to advancing their careers through professional development.

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