First of all 1 would like to thank FIFA for this kind invitation to participate in the 2'd Womens Football Symposium- It Is a great honor for me to be part of this panel. 1 would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate FIFA and the Wornen's World Cup CoflIfluittee for this successful and memorable competition

There is so much to say about wornen’s refereeing, that it is difficult to cover all debates in only a few minutes. 1 hope, however, that everybody considers the referees as friends and part of the big football family, because we all work towards the sarne goal; The success of football.

Without pretending to provide answers or solutions to all topics the following comments are meant to encourage serious thought and debate. The goal is to reach a just and equitable recognition of women's football

Among the debate concerning, refereing in general are few topics that need to be discussed and developed for experimentation on the field:

• Respect and recognition of referees
• Professionalism. and professional refereeing
• Two refèree systern
• Evolution of the laws of the game
• Sophisticated auxiliary equipment, in camera...
• Kick-in instead of throw-in

Major progress had been made in wornens refereeing over the last couple years. If 1 go back 3 years, in Prague, where the 2nd FIFA Symposium for Administrators was held, many subjects were discussed :
Women's football as opposed to men's football
Should there be différent rules?
Would it be better to have female refèree for woomen's garnes? 
On the other hand, could a woman refèree a mens game ?

Three years later, here we are at the 2nd Women's Football Symposium. 1 believe a big step has been taken by FIFA, having' only women referees and assistant refèrees for this important competition- FIFA has made a trernendous effort, allotting, time and energy to international women's competition. I now hope that all the national associations will follow this example and provide women referees some great opportunities to officiate important matches-.

Unfortunately this is not the case- After a litde survey, 1 realized that, many countries don't have programs for developing women refèrees. We still have a long way to go. For example only a few international women refèrees are involved in professional mens games. Of course, not all women have the same career goals, but it should al least be possible to offer the same opportunity to female and male referces without any gender issues. Obviously according to the performance on the field. 

Most of the game 1 have refereed in my career, nearly 1000 games in 21 years, have been mens games and I really learned a lot by refereeing difficult and high level professional games. It ils also very good to share experiences with the male referees

Some of the men's professional 1st division games 1 have refereed have been a real challenge. You may have eard about the game 1 refèreed in Brazil. This was the first time that a woman had officiated a men's game at this level. Believe me, a big step had been taken by the Brazilian Football Federation- At the same time, 1 was seen as an "alien". It was the same story in El Salvador. I truly believe, however, that it helped people to realize any human being can referee a game if they have the ability to do the job properly, regardless of gender. Even though, it was a lot of pressure 1 would do it again anytime! I personally want to thank every country that belleves in women's refèreeing and acts accordingly.

We can expect many prornising advancements in the future of womens football for players, trainers, referees and other fernale staff, without closing the door to male gender. On the contrary, we can draw benefits from all those with national or international experience. We must think and act with an open mind and, most importantly, work together towards a common objective. 

In terms of the need of women refèrees, there are many similar to the needs of male refèrees- We definitely need better support from every level of the football organization. We need more role models like fernale FOEA instructors, experienced refèrees, more courses to improve performance, and more precisely :
Advice and support on physical preparation 
Psychological and moral support
Technique and tactical advice
Knowledge about nutrition, methods of relaxation, concentration, self-analysis, etc--

As we can see, we also have similar needs to the players but we just don't have the support, the staff, the nutritionists, the trainers and the sponsor that they have.

With the current success of women's football, it is time to become more aware of all the needs and set the goals for the future- There are so many ways to improve our game at this point- Let's work together.

It goes without saying that there are many questions and phenomena meriting deep analysis, and that is the aim of this Symposium: to encourage the growth of international women’s football. It is time for effective committees, consultation, team work and most important, action, specific programs and professional. referees.

Thank you very much for your -indulgence, and best of luck to the finalisus in the Wornen's World Cup 1999

Sonia Denoncourt
FIFA Referee