Page 30 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.21 2021-22

UEFA is delighted that its pool of female referees is more impressive than ever in terms of
quality and dedication. “The decisions about who goes to the EURO are going to be very difficult,
because we now have a growing group of high-calibre referees from which to choose,” reflects UEFA
Referees Committee chairman Roberto Rosetti. “The selection process will be very interesting.”
“Before now, we had a smaller group of referees that we knew we could rely on for big
occasions,” Damková adds. “But now that group has grown in size. We believe that Europe’s female
referees are reaching new heights. It’s positive that we now have a bigger pool to choose from for
important assignments.
“We’ve used the winter course to prepare the referees for their duties, passed on technical
instructions, and told them not only what they should expect, but what UEFA expects of them –
focus, consistency, confidence and correct and uniform decision-making.”
England name development squads
England’s next generation will be in action again this month when the WU23s make the short trip
to France for a double header.
Mo Marley has named 24 players for two fixtures against France on Thursday 17th February
and Sunday 20th February. The squad will be based in Lisieux for the games which will be played
at Stade Pole de Normandie and Stade Louis Bielman respectively, with both kicking off at 3pm
(local).
The fixtures come after the Young Lionesses returned to action last autumn under Marley’s
guidance with a 1-0 win in Belgium followed by a 11-0 success against Estonia at St. George’s Park.
Meanwhile, Gemma Davies is taking a development squad to Spain for the Marbella
International Tournament between 13-23 February. The trip will begin with a clash against Finland
on Thursday 17 February at the Estadio Municipa Ciudad de La Linea, before they face Denmark
five days later at the Marbella Football Center.
Head of Women’s Technical Development Kay Cossington said: “I am very happy that our
players across the age groups will be getting more international experience with these matches.
“As well as testing themselves against strong opponents, the chance to travel abroad
representing England will help them to learn more about each other as team mates and build closer
connections on and off the pitch. This will all be so helpful to us as we look to build the player
pathway through to the seniors.”
England Women Under-23 squad:
Sandy MacIver (Everton), Emily Ramsey (Birmingham City *), Frances Stenson (Arsenal), Asmita
Ale (Tottenham Hotspur), Megan Finnigan (Everton), Grace Fisk (West Ham United), Gabrielle
George (Everton), Taylor Hinds (Liverpool), Maya Le Tissier (Brighton & Hove Albion), Mayumi
Pacheco (Aston Villa), Lucy Parker (West Ham United), Anna Patten (Aston Villa *), Poppy
Pattinson
(Everton), Missy Bo Kearns (Liverpool), Melisa Filis (West Ham United), Ruby Grant (University
of North Carolina), Shannon O’Brien (Leicester City), Molly Pike (Leicester City), Ellie Brazil
(Brighton & Hove Albion), Emma Harries (Reading FC Women), Jessica Park (Manchester City),
Jessica Naz (Tottenham Hotspur), Katie Robinson (Charlton Athletic *), Ebony Salmon (Racing
Louisville).
England Women Development Phase Squad:
Eleanor Heeps (Blackburn Rovers *), Khiara Keeting (Manchester City), Tara Bourne (Blackburn
Rovers *), Anouk Denton (University of Louisville), Charley Docherty (Nottingham
Forest/Sheffield United), Jorja Fox (Charlton Athletic *), Teyah Goldie (Watford/Arsenal), Neve
Herron (Sunderland), Ruby Mace (Manchester City), Olivia McLoughlin (Aston Villa), Caitlin
Smith (Clemson University), Laura Blindkilde Brown (Aston Villa), Grace Clinton (Everton), Halle
Houssein (West Ham United/Arsenal), Lucia Kendall (Southampton FC Women), Mia Ross
(Charlton Athletic), Maisie Symonds (Brighton & Hove Albion), Charlotte Wardlaw (Liverpool *),
Aggie Beever-Jones (Bristol City *), Missy Goodwin (Leicester City), Freya Gregory (Leicester City
*), Lois Moore (Everton), Emily Murphy (University of North Carolina), Emma Thompson
(Chelsea).
Issue no. 21 - 10 February 2022 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk