THE Furness Premier League’s first female referee wants to change the perception that the role is reserved for men only.

This Saturday, Barrovian Hollie Keenan will officiate as the first female referee in the Furness Premier League as Barrow Wanderers Reserves are set to take on Bootle AFC Reserves.

The 19-year-old shipyard worker hopes her new role will encourage other women interested in refereeing to take up the challenge.

She said: “I started playing football myself at a young age but there’s not that many options for over-16s women’s football around Barrow so I ended up playing for Morecambe and travelling down there three times a week.

“Unfortunately, the team didn’t have enough interest and I ended up leaving.

“I missed football so much and my dad’s a referee and asked if I would consider trying it out.

“I started out refereeing junior football matches to see if I enjoyed it and I did.

“Then I started going onto older age groups for both men and women.”

This Saturday will be Hollie’s first open age adult game after the teen underwent a referee cause to join the Furness Premier League.

She said: “I started off at a lower-level refereeing under-12 matches and worked my way up to the Furness Premiere League.

“I would have to have a higher qualification to ref at Barrow AFC because it’s in a different league, but it would be something I’d love to do in the future.

“I want to keep getting better and go up the different levels.

“With refereeing, although I’m not playing, I’m still involved in football and get enjoyment out of that. I can understand why people have such respect for referees because it can be a lot of responsibility.”

Hollie said there should be more opportunities for women over-16 to play football in Barrow.

She said: “I didn’t think I would be the first female ref in the Furness Premier League. Football should offer the same opportunities to men and women. One of our biggest football stars, Georgia Stanway, is a female footballer from Barrow.

“There’s lots of football in the area for girls under-16 but not enough for adults.

“People have to travel to play – there should be more opportunities locally.

“I hope my role as a ref in the Furness Premier League will encourage women to get into football – whether it be playing or refereeing. I want to change the perception that it’s only open to men or the fittest people out there. Anyone can do it.”