The best players want to play in the biggest games – and referees are no different. Which is why Rebecca Durcau is buzzing to have been appointed to referee in Sunday’s Westfield W-League 2021 Grand Final, when Sydney FC host Melbourne Victory at Netstrata Jubilee Oval.
It’s the third time Durcau has received the honour, recognition for her excellent season refereeing 8 games in the Westfield W-League 2020/21 Season, and comes a year after she was appointed to the Westfield W-League 2020 Grand Final behind closed doors as the coronavirus pandemic took hold.
Durcau revealed she was called last Sunday by Strebre Delovski, director of refereeing for the Australian Professional Leagues (APL), to be told she would be in charge of the season’s showpiece event.
“It’s a really nice bonus after what’s been a choppy season because of all the issues associated with playing during COVID,” Durcau said.
“But though it sounds like a cliché, it’s just another game in terms of preparation – it’s the same effort to get everything right.
“You know the atmosphere will be there, and that passion levels will be higher because it’s a final, but at the end of it you want all the focus to have been on the game and hopefully no one’s talking about what we did.”
Joining Durcau will be Assistant Referees Laura Moya & Lauren Hargrave, Additional Assistant Referees Lara Lee & Isabella Blaess with Sarah Ho as the Fourth Official.
Durcau also officiated in the Westfield W-League 2018 Grand Final, and APL Commissioner Greg O’Rourke said her selection once again was fully deserved.
“We want the referee who’s most on top of their game to be in charge for such an important event, and you can see that Rebecca is in exactly that space,” said O’Rourke.
“Her third appointment to a grand final is testament to her professionalism and dedication, and I’m sure she will do her best to help produce a great game of football.”
Match Details
Westfield W-League 2021 Grand Final
Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory
Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah
Sunday, 11 April 2021
Kick-off: 4:05pm (AEST)
Referee: Rebecca Durcau
Assistant Referee 1: Laura Moya
Assistant Referee 2: Lauren Hargrave
Additional Assistant Referee 1: Lara Lee
Additional Assistant Referee 2: Isabella Blaess
Fourth Official: Sarah Ho