Queensland referees are continuing to reach great heights on the international stage with Kate Jacewicz and Renae Coghill selected to officiate at the upcoming FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.
Referee Jacewicz and assistant referee Coghill leave tonight for the tournament, which will be held between 5 -24 August in France.
The pair officiated together at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan in 2016 and were rewarded for standout performances, selected to referee the final between Korea DPR and Japan.
Follwing the Westfield W-League season, Jacewicz and Coghill have refereed matches throughout the local season to maintain fitness levels and work on communication and decision-making.
Most recently, Melbourne-based Jacewicz travelled to Brisbane to take charge of the Round 21 National Premier Leagues (NPL) Queensland match between Lions FC and Moreton Bay United FC with Coghill as one of her assistant referees.
Coghill said the match was a great opportunity for the two of them to spend time together and work on their on-field interactions.
“It was really good because we only work with each other usually in the W-League or overseas, so it’s good to be able to come into the local season prior to going away for the World Cup,” she said.
“It gave us a great opportunity to work on communication, to see where we’re at and how we can help each other develop.”
Football Queensland State Referee Coach Ted Kearney said the upcoming tournament was a fantastic opportunity for Jacewicz and Coghill to build on their skills leading up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019.
“There will be world-class instructors at the tournament who will watch their every move and debrief them after every match,” he said.
“They will have individual exercises designed to target any weaknesses and to build on strengths of various members of the group,” he said.
“The Under 20s is one step from the Holy Grail [the FIFA Women’s World Cup] and not many get to this stage let alone the next step, so it’s a fantastic tournament for them to be a part of.”
Both Jacewicz and Coghill said they feel more confident and prepared ahead of this tournament following their success at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup two years ago.
“Being my second FIFA tournament, it certainly gives me confidence knowing what to expect and how to prepare to give my best performances out on the field,” Jacewicz said.
Coghill agreed, saying having an idea of what to expect and can place her focus on getting as much out of the opportunity as possible.
“I want to keep growing, keep learning and getting better,” she said.
“These opportunities don’t come along easily and it may not happen again, so I just want to be the best I can be and just enjoy the experience.”
The FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup begins in France on Sunday, 5 August.
Words: Elizabeth Lepre
