Amsterdam’s Özge Avci was named the KNVB’s best female amateur referee in January. “I succeeded and was able to receive the cup,” she says. Although Özge is happy with the title, there is still plenty to dream about: “I want to referee the Champions League”. That’s not the case yet, this weekend she refereed her first match of the year in Amsterdam, between SC Buitenveldert and SV Houten.
Ozge Avci – AT5
Özge gets her passion for whistling from her father, who was also a KNVB referee. At a young age she often attended his competitions and eventually succeeded him. “For medical reasons he stopped and physically handed over his whistle to me,” she says.
It is remarkable that Özge prefers to referee men’s matches. This is because she has more experience in this and also sees more play in it. Sometimes it can be difficult as a female referee in a men’s match, she says. “Of course you get men who are a bit stricter and more assertive, it’s a matter of going from one ear to the other.”
“I think a lot of women can and want to do this”
Özge sees a lot of potential in female referees and encourages them to take the step and follow the course at the KNVB. “I think a lot of women can and want to do this,” she says. There are more and more female association referees, but not yet many female KNVB referees. Özge therefore wants to organize meetings for women who want to become referees to make a plan together.
She still has great ambitions as a referee: “I want to referee the seniors initially and ultimately professional football, the Eredivisie. And the highest level of course: the Champions League.”
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