History Made in Suffolk & Ipswich League

History Made in Suffolk & Ipswich League

If it’s good enough for the World Cup, then its good enough for the SIL!

A bit of history will be made in the Suffolk & Ipswich League on Monday 2^nd January 2023 when for the first time 3 female officials will take charge of the Senior division match between East Bergholt United and Bildeston Rangers being played at Gandish Road, Bergholt. Kick off 2pm.

Referee Isabel Chaplin will be assisted by Ella Karkoska and Amy Stockley. All three have been regularly officiating in the league for the last couple of seasons, giving very impressive performances.

The three ladies were asked a few questions on their footballing/refereeing journey so far:

How did you get into football?

Isabel

I first started playing football towards the end of primary school as one of my friends’ mums started running a team of my age and I wanted to give it a go.

Ella

My primary school girls team after training and playing with the boys for a couple of years

Amy

I first started playing football on my primary school field with some boys. A few of my friends told me I should join a team and so I did and I loved it.

Who did you play for?

Isabel

I started off by playing for Hadleigh United for five seasons and then moved to Needham Market for two seasons and I stopped playing in 2020.

Ella

Ipswich Valley Rangers U9-U16, Chantry Academy high school girls U12-U16, my current teams are East Bergholt Ladies and Ipswich Town Post 16 Football and Education programme.

Amy

My first ever team was playing for Felixstowe & Walton Girls U9 up until U13. I also joined the boys’ team at U13. I then joined my old rival team, Ipswich Valley Rangers U14, up until the age of U16. Between U13 and U16 I played for Ipswich Town Academy and for the county, Suffolk.

What got you into refereeing, where did you start?

Isabel

I initially started so I could referee as the skill element of my Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. I completed the course in Bury St. Edmunds in August 2015 and then refereed on the local youth leagues regularly until I started adult football in 2020.

Ella

My Chantry PE teachers said it would help with my BTEC sport coursework. I completed my course, and my first appointment was scheduled for the weekend that lockdown happened, so the start of my refereeing journey was delayed. Once we were able to begin football again my first match was for Coplestonians FC.

Amy

My dad first asked me about doing the course after I regularly ran the line for my brother’s team. One of my teammates was also planning to do it so we decided to do it together.

What is your refereeing status at present?

Isabel

I am currently a Level 6 referee in the men’s game, refereeing local county games and a 2W in the women’s game, operating on the Women’s Championship and Women’s Super League.

Ella

At present I am a registered assistant referee on the Women’s National League and WSL Academy. I am a referee and assistant referee for SIL, Suffolk Youth Football League, Suffolk Girls, and Women’s Football League and Thurlow Nunn u18 League. I am also a Suffolk FA CORE referee and have just joined the England FA Women’s Emerging Talent Programme

Amy

Not too sure on this I think I’m Level 7 for men’s aiming for level 6 and women’s I don’t know

What are your ambitions referee wise?

Isabel

I would like to continue refereeing whilst I keep enjoying it and just see what happens in the future!

Ella

I want to go as far as I possibly can in both the Male and Female game. To be part of a referring team at a major tournament

Amy

To continue refereeing and gradually move up the levels. Also, to continue promoting a fair game.

This should be an interesting and competitive match and we wish all three the best of luck.