Queensland referee Kate Jacewicz has created history, becoming the first female referee appointed to the Hyundai A-League Referees Panel.
Ben Abraham was also announced by Football Federation Australia (FFA) on the weekend as the second referee to join the Hyundai A-League referees panel for the upcoming Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League seasons.
Melbourne-based Jacewicz has already reached great heights in her refereeing career, named the Westfield W-League Referee of the Year a record eight times.
Jacewicz, who began her refereeing career on the Gold Coast, most recently officiated at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and was one of 11 referees retained for the final phase of the tournament.
FFA Chairman and Chair of the FFA Referees Committee Chris Nikou congratulated Kate on the significant achievement.
“Kate is without doubt one of the leading referees in the world at any level and we congratulate her on the appointment to the Hyundai A-League referees panel,” Nikou said.
“Kate is one of the most successful referees in Australian football who has been named the Westfield W-League Referee of the Year a record breaking eight times and most recently refereed two matches at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup as well as being appointed as the fourth official for the third place play-off match between England and Sweden.
“We look forward to seeing Kate, Ben and all the match officials in action for the upcoming seasons of the Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League.”
FFA Director of Referees Ben Wilson also congratulated Kate and Ben.
“We’ve undertaken a rigorous selection exercise during the last few months and Kate and Ben were the outstanding candidates to be added to the Hyundai A-League Referees Panel,” Wilson said.
“I would like to congratulate them on their appointment. They have been selected on merit and I have no doubt that they will be successful at this level.”
Fellow Queensland Hyundai A-League referee Alex King has also been promoted to the position of full time referee, joining Chris Beath and Shaun Evans.
