Recently, and for the first time in the history of French football, an exclusively female referee trio led a Ligue 1 match during a Troyes-Monaco match. And even if we are still very far from perfect parity (as in far too many other areas), this first validates a real evolution.
The department of Deux-Sèvres is not to be outdone, and has a number of women referees within it. In particular the very promising Angèle Poublanc, whose rise is dazzling. ” Women’s refereeing is evolving and highly respected. This trio demonstrates in my opinion that it is not a question of being a man or a woman to be a top football referee, but of having a set of skills. If these referees were selected from among the best, then they were where they needed to be,” she analyzes with discernment.
From the ball to the foot to the whistle
At 25, this cardiology nurse at CH de Niort started football at the age of six. within the CASA FOOT club (Saint-Aubin-le-Cloud) until the age of 8, in a mixed team but composed only of boys, says Angèle. After taking a break to discover other activities, I resumed football at the age of 14 (U16) in a women’s team within the RCPV (Parthenay/Viennay) until U19. Then, after going abroad for my studies, I resumed competition during the 2020-2021 season (at Éveil Le Tallud) as a senior female player. My passion for football grew because in December 2020, I started refereeing. Since the 2022-2023 season, I have joined the Bessines ASPTT club as a player. »
She then starts the FIA (Initial Referee Training) in December 2020, and her first steps in the field took place in February 2021. “ I started to discover refereeing when I practiced football as a player, especially during the “refereeing day”. This caught my attention and my curiosity. In 2020, while I was abroad and wishing to keep a link with football, I participated in a communication campaign organized by the FFF. Shortly after responding to this campaign, the district of Deux-Sèvres contacted me and invited me to discover arbitration. I was able to perceive football from another angle, by ensuring the smooth running of the match by respecting the laws, but also by the relationship with the players. By wanting to try, the passion prevailed »says Angèle Poublanc.
The result is faster progression than normal. “It was quick. I started by refereeing youth matches (U16-U17) then I quickly officiated in senior women at the highest regional level (R1F), as well as in senior men in D2. My goal is to continue this ascent by acquiring all the skills necessary to officiate at a high level”, confides the Niortaise. It’s all the harm we wish for this young woman whose quick-wittedness is matched only by her whistle foresight.
