Shona Shukrula is promoted to the group {of professional} soccer referees. – Photograph: KNVB Media
Shona Shukrula turns into the primary feminine referee in Dutch skilled soccer. The 32-year-old from Alkmaar has been promoted to the group {of professional} soccer referees and can work in the direction of her first match within the Kitchen Champion Division within the 2024/’25 season.
Shukrula has been whistling for the KNVB because the 2009/’10 season. In latest seasons, Shukrula has led matches within the Second Division and since 2020 she has been lively because the fourth official within the Kitchen Champion Division. Internationally, Shukrula refereed UEFA Ladies’s Champions League matches and European and World Cup qualifying matches. By the expertise program for skilled soccer referees, she now progresses to the best soccer degree within the Netherlands.
Assistant referees
Beforehand, Sjoukje de Jong (2001), Nicolet Bakker (2011) and Franca Overtoom (2018) made their debut in skilled soccer as assistant referees. Overtoom has additionally been flying within the Eredivisie since 2020 and was the one feminine assistant referee on the highest Dutch soccer degree final season. In France, Germany and England, amongst others, feminine referees have already made their debut within the Ligue 1, Premier League and Bundesliga lately.
“I’m very happy with my promotion to the group {of professional} soccer referees,” Shukrula responds. “I labored arduous for this for fifteen years. I’m proud of the arrogance that the KNVB has in me, however I’m not there but. My debut is in prospect, however nonetheless has to occur. Any longer, I’m absolutely targeted on making my first look as a referee in skilled soccer subsequent season.”
Along with Shukrula, referee Rick Sturm and assistant referees Laurens Maas, Dyon Reinshagen, Bilal Sahiner and Max Wolfkamp will even make the step from the expertise program to the group of (assistant) skilled soccer referees subsequent season.
Shukrula happy with promotion: ‘It is a dream come true’ Learn the interview with Shona Shukrula.