‘I think we have come really far’ – WSL Hall of Fame inductee Welch on journey of elite game | OneFootball

Former professional referee Rebecca Welch recently made history in being the first official to be inducted into the Barclays Women’s Super League’s Hall of Fame.

Welch is one of four Barclays Women’s Super League pioneers to have been entered into the Hall of Fame. Alex Scott MBE, Gilly Flaherty and Steph Houghton MBE have also been inducted in 2024.

On Monday evening, the four inductees spoke to media at a Barclays WSL Hall of Fame Celebration Event. When commenting on her inclusion, Welch admitted that she was surprised to be inducted as a match official.

“[I was] quite shocked because I never thought a ref would be inducted into the Hall of Fame from a league,” Welch said.

“Then, you find out who you are being inducted alongside, you’re like ‘okay, that is interesting, I am going to be on stage with three people who potentially think I am not their favourite person’.”

Welch became a football referee in 2010 and she has been involved with the Barclays Women’s Super League since its first season in 2011. Reflecting on her induction into the Hall of Fame further, Welch said that it is a special honour.

She said “It shows how far the league has come. I have been involved in the league since the start, so I’ve kind of grown up with this throughout my career. It’s a great honour to be here alongside some really, really big names in football.”

Welch retired from refereeing in 2024 and she is now the manager of PGMOL’s Select Group Women’s Professional Game, working to support and develop the Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Championship officials, as well as continuing to inspire the next generation. Welch highlighted the professionalisation of the elite game both for the league and officials.

She said “I think we have come really far from where I first started to now, the league is a lot more professional and the approach to match officials is a lot more professional.

“I was lucky enough to be a part of that journey through and lucky enough now to be a part of it off the field, taking the next generation through.

“Anything with leagues and referees, the referees are always that little bit behind just because the way it goes, the league comes first. As referees, we are looking to be more professional and the ones I look after are professional in everything they do.”

Reflecting on her standout moments, Welch highlighted two cup finals that hold a special place in her heart.

She said “I always say the Women’s FA Cup final in 2017, being played at Wembley. To walk out at Wembley as the ref, I did the first one as a fourth official but you can’t beat that feeling of walking out as the referee [at Wembley]. The Women’s Champions League final in Bilbao as well.”

The Barclays Women’s Super League’s Hall of Fame was launched in 2021 to coincide with the 10th year of WSL football. Four new members are inducted into the Hall of Fame each year.