It's more than just a match! As well the hugely-anticipated BBC Essex Women's Cup Final which will take place between Billericay Town and Hashtag United Reserves, in which we're staging a refereeing workshop at the Jobserve Community Stadium, Colchester United FC.

From 18:15, FA National Referee Manager and 1W Women's Super League Referee Lou Saunders has been lined-up to share her knowledge and experiences as well as how to progress, develop and improve your refereeing skills.

Lou is currently a 1W Womens Super League Referee who regularly operates on the FA Women's Super League as a referee. Lou, who is originally from Kent, began her refereeing in 2005 where she refereed on the local leagues in Kent.

This season (2022/23), Lou has been appointed to three European fixtures as a fourth official and had trips to Juventus and Wolfsburg in the UEFA Women's Champions League as well as Montenegro vs Malta in the FIFA Women's World Cup Qualifier. She has recently refereed the FA Women's Continental Tyres Cup Semi-Final fixture between West Ham United and Chelsea.

This will be a great opportunity for Essex County FA referees to attend and hear from Lou on life refereeing in the professional game. Lou will also talk about her journey from refereeing on the parks of Kent and the challenges she faced progressing through the footballing pyramid.

Event Information

- Thursday 13th April 2023
- Jobserve Community Stadium, United Way, Colchester, CO4 5UP
- Time: 18:15 to 19:30
- Kick off: 19:45

Refereeing Workshop

- Hear from FA National Referee Manager and 1W Womens Super League Referee, Lou Saunders

- Find out about life as a pro and her role at the FA

- Q&A with Lou Saunders