In a historic first, all of Canberra's A-League Women's referees will be officiating the grand final, marking a moment some nine seasons in the making for one.
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Georgia Ghirardello, Lauren Hargrave and Delfina Dimoski will all officiate at Kogarah Oval on Sunday for the ALW grand final between Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory, with 20 seasons of experience between them.
Ghirardello will be an additional assistant referee, providing an extra set of eyes on the goal line in the absence of a video assistant referee, and will be joined by assistant referees Hargrave and Dimoski running the lines to make up 50 per cent of the game's refereeing panel.
All three officiated the semi-final battles in prior weeks but for Dimoski and Ghirardello it will be their first ALW grand final. And they are hoping their appointments send a clear message that the ACT fosters and develops a strong calibre of referees, and pathways for the next generation.
"It's taken me nine years to get here, but I'm very, very thankful for the journey," Dimoski said.
"I've done four semi-finals, so I've finally made it to the big dance and I'm pretty pumped. And it's even more of an experience for me because I get to do it with two people that I work with week-in, week-out. The good, bad and ugly.
"We've supported each other through it all, so to stand there with them at the pinnacle of what we do is just such a privilege.
"We will, hopefully, be an inspiration to the next generation of female referees that come through here and give them something to aspire to."
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Ghirardello has been waiting for her call-up since she started in the ALW during the 2017-18 season as an assistant referee, before moving into a centre role. Although she will be back on the line again on Sunday, she said she was grateful for the opportunity to do it alongside friends.
"It's not every day you get to be in a grand final. So you've really got to be grateful and embrace the moment and enjoy it," she said.
"Refereeing has had a positive impact on my life, for which I am grateful. On Sunday you will see the three dedicated Canberrans out on the football field showing what hard work, friendship and passion can do. Why not become a referee and see how far you can go?"
It will be Hargrave's second grand final appearance, building on her appointment to FIFA's international panel in January, after she entered the ALW in 2016-17.
"The appointment of three ACT-based referees to the grand final team is a testament to the excellent elite refereeing culture which has been developed by a number of amazing past and present referees," the 28-year-old said.
They all paid tribute to the person facilitating their training, development and pathways; Capital Football referee development manager Mark Hester, noting his support, the culture he builds and his impact on the game in the ACT leading to seven referees involved across the A-Leagues.
Hester said it was an outstanding achievement for all three.
"To see their performances recognised with these prestigious appointments is testament to their level of professionalism, commitment and personal sacrifice," he said.
"For Capital Football, it is very satisfying to see our entire A-League Women's panel involved in the grand final."
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