Cheryl Foster will lead the first five-woman refereeing team in the 2024 Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final this Sunday at Rodney Parade.
A legendary former Cymru international player in her own right, Foster took up refereeing in 2013 and has since officiated several Welsh Cup Finals, the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final and the FIFA Women’s World Cup Third V Fourth Place Play Off, making her one of the most successful Welsh match officials of all time.
Foster became the first woman ever to referee in the JD Cymru Premier in 2018 and recently announced her retirement from the men’s game. Foster will continue to officiate in the Genero Adran Leagues and represent Wales as a FIFA Match Official next season.
Foster’s Assistant Referees on Sunday will be fellow JD Cymru Premier officials Ceri Williams and Michelle Portelli. Williams made history last weekend by becoming the first woman ever to officiate a men’s JD Welsh Cup Final while Portelli earned herself international recognition with her selection as a FIFA match official in January of this year.
Fourth Official Charlotte Carpenter was herself the first woman from Wales to become an International Referee in 2016. A regular in the Genero Adran Premier and Referee in previous Bute Energy Welsh Cup and Genero Adran Trophy Finals, Carpenter will bring plenty of experience to the touchline.
Reserve Assistant Referee Katie Hannah is also an experienced campaigner in the Genero Adran Premier and JD Cymru North. Hannah was Assistant Referee to Foster in last year’s Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final between Briton Ferry Llansawel and Cardiff City.
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