Towson University women’s soccer partners with WAGS to host referee certification course

TOWSON, Md. – In honor of March being Women’s History month, the Towson University women’s soccer team and Women and Girls in Soccer (WAGS) co-hosted a referee certification course at the new Towson Soccer Stadium on February 29th and March 1st.

The opportunity to co-host the event began with a conversation between TU Women’s soccer head coach Katherine Vettori and WAGS Executive Director Kerry Diederich.

“I noticed in my first fall season at Towson that we did not have a single female referee,” said Vettori.

“I became aware that females are underrepresented as soccer referees at all levels of the game and I wanted to do something to initiate change.  I reached out to Kerry and we discussed working together to increase the involvement of young women and girls in the soccer referee community”.

Carla Nagel Winters, lead instructor for the certification course, was pleased with the professional environment provided by the University.

“When students have access to this type of environment, they get more involved and excited about what they are learning,” said Winters.

“The classroom setting in proximity to the field was ideal and having access to such a great facility makes teaching easy.”

The WAGS female only referee certification course was a first of its kind offered in Maryland.

“TU Women’s Soccer wants to be known as a place where females can continue their education in the game – whether that is licensing in coaching education or certification of referees, we want women to stay connected to the game for their entire lives,” says Vettori.

With the certification of a new referee class the partnership between TU Women’s Soccer and WAGS is off to a great start.