Louise Thompson has shared how officiating has changed her life as part of #SportMaker Officials Week.
Louise was a guest speaker at the Sport NI officials forum, held as part of #SportMaker officials week sharing her story and advice to fellow peers in sport.
The Irish FA referee is setting the example for more females to take up officiating and recently became the first female to take charge of a NIFL Premiership game.
The Fermanagh referee has travelled across the World including officiating international fixtures and being 4th official of a Women’s Champions League encounter between Lyon and Benfica.
Louise said: “It’s great to break the barriers, just to be seen there in that role, that it’s possible. I hope other females see it and want to do it and know it’s possible.”
Her journey started in 2017 after suffering an injury playing football. Louise said: “I always loved football from a young age so I still wanted to be involved. It gave me another aspect to still be on the pitch at a high level. So in the Autumn after getting injured I took a course.”
And now encourages others to get involved, she added: “It’s great to give something back to the sport. If you’ve always been involved in the sport and you have a passion for it, it’s definitely another way to give back. Also the opportunities and the experiences are there, especially in the female side of the game.”