Originally Posted by BBC News
Cheryl Foster became the first woman to referee a game in the Cymru Premier – Wales’ top men’s division – in 2018
Welsh referee Cheryl Foster has been included in the King’s birthday honours list.
The former Wales forward, 43, has been appointed an MBE for services to association football and women’s sport.
She became Wales’ first World Cup referee in 45 years when she took charge of Brazil’s 4-0 win against Panama in Adelaide in 2023.
Foster had been selected to officiate at the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. She refereed four games in total, including the third-place play-off match between Australia and Sweden.
Hailing from Bangor, Foster became the first Welsh woman to officiate at a major tournament at Euro 2022 and was then in charge of the 2023 Champions League final between Barcelona and Wolfsburg in Eindhoven.
Foster began refereeing in 2013 and was added to Fifa’s international list of referees in 2015 and promoted to Uefa’s elite list five years later.
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‘Champions League final a fabulous experience I’ll never forget’
Foster also now helps the Football Association of Wales (FAW) in its recruitment drive for more women and, despite her full-time job as a teacher and active referee, she gives up her time to be available for the FAW’s women-only referee course and to act as leader, mentor and coach to the newly qualified officials. Read Full Article
Her glittering refereeing career followed a