Growing up in a football-obsessed family, Delfina Shakespear was a handy player before deciding to pursue refereeing.
What started as a way of staying involved in the sport she loved has now seen her as Referee’s Assistant in over 100 A-League women’s games, becoming just the second woman to reach the milestone. She was also named 2025 ACT Referee of the Year and was an ACT finalist at the Australian of the Year Awards 2025 for the Local Hero category.
Away from the football pitch, Delfina is also a project manager with Sports Integrity Australia, with a mission to break down the barriers which keep girls and women from being involved in sport, from the playing field to the boardroom.
We discuss her career, embracing being a role model, and bust some myths around refereeing.
Recorded June, 2025.
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