Chloe Smart is out to Make her Mark

These days, when you ask most teenagers what career they would like when they are older, it’s fair to say, that most don’t really know. However, the same can not be said of 16 year old Chloe Smart from Witney who already has her sights set on the Premier League.

While most teenagers playing football in the area have signed for their local Witney & District side, Chloe took another route, and that led her into refereeing. Chloe, who has played football from an early age, had already completed her basic referee’s training by the time she was 13 .

So when her local football team folded, she decided that she’d take up the whistle instead.

A keen sportswoman; Chloe helps to coach a local under 11’s football side volunteers with Ice Hockey team, Oxford City Stars. However, officiating is nothing new to Chloe who has progressed through the Oxfordshire Football Association Referees Academy (a training scheme for Oxfordshire young referees in conjunction with the Oxford United Centre of Excellence).
Chloe added “I haven’t had a free weekend since 2012!”

She was encouraged by her father Colin (also a referee) to further her development in officiating.
“My dad is very supportive, ferrying me about, to and from games, meetings and other refereeing events. Being a referee himself, my dad was my biggest influence when getting into refereeing. Having him as a mentor was a huge benefit to me.

Last Saturday saw her take charge of her first Witney & District Mens’ League football match. Brize Norton Reserves played hosts to Milton Reserves in a match that ended 4-2 to the home side.

When asked prior to the match, what she was expecting, she revealed;
“The foul language always tones down when there's a female about, which I always find remarkable but one thing I won't accept on the pitch is dissent or abuse, it's very simple, be proactive and stamp on it fast. It's all about game management, at the end of the day, the players are there because they want to play football, so I find that the best way to manage the game is to try and avoid being the centre of attention.”

When asked what advice would you give to other people your age considering taking up refereeing;
“Don't worry if the first time you go out onto the pitch, you run round like a headless chicken. Every referee will tell you they had no idea what they were doing on their first game, it takes time to develop as a referee- just like any other profession.

The main advice, is join the Referees' Association - you can learn from others, including top flight officials like Howard Webb, it's the easiest way of developing your game.”

Chloe is the third female referee in the Witney & District League, and despite her predecessors only officiating a handful of games each Chloe looks set to become a regular. Referee’s appointment secretary Ralph Davies gave this endorsement;
“Chloe is a football person who understands the game and by all accounts is not worried or scared to deal with misconduct. Everybody who has assessed Chloe and helped in her football development are quite clear in that they all feel she is more than worthy of a move to the next grade of football. The Witney & District Mens’ League is the perfect platform for this.”

While currently promoting youth and female referring where possible; Chloe’s long term goal is to referee at the highest level, which in this country is the FA Premier League. There is yet to be a female referee in a top flight football match in this country. However Chloe hopes to change that one day.
“I would love to get to the international stage in women's football and officiate on the Premier League, in an ideal world I'd be appointed to a major cup final, but I'll have to take things one step at a time for now!”

Grounded, professional and driven. Chloe is one to watch!

Anthony Barlow