During the months of October and November of 2013, Football Federation SA conducted a Female Referee Scholarship Program having identified that there is a significant shortage of female referees at all levels of the game.

The program was aimed at targeting female players at clubs to complete a referee course and address the shortage that had been seen at local matches across the state.

The Female Scholarship Program was conducted by former FIFA Assistant Referees Michelle Treloar and Airlie Keen.

Both Treloar and Keen provided valuable insights and knowledge into refereeing as well as provided the young female participants a role-model figure to look up to; to show that there is a career pathway for female match officials. Assistance and insights were also provided by current W-League Officials Maddison Kennedy and Ana Nevjestic. 

The program was a huge success, which saw 28 new female participants introduced to refereeing. This was a near 100% increase in registered female match officials throughout the state. 

Activities throughout the program included Laws of the Game theory, watching match incidents and foul identification DVD's, conducting practical exercises at training sessions, in addition to attending a Westfield W-League Fixture between Adelaide United and Canberra United. 

The enthusiasm and interest shown by the participants is exciting and FFSA looks forward to continuing to work with and support these female officials as they embark on their refereeing careers.