The woman in black

Emdad Rahman meets football ref Lorraine Deschamps.

Lorraine Deschamps (no relation to French legend Didier), a member of the Football Association’s Sports Equity Advisory Group, is one of the most senior referee instructors in the country. Lorraine’s love for football was nurtured in Brazil, the land of the beautiful game. After serving as a youth football club secretary, Lorraine chose to develop and educate herself in the intricacies of the game, studying and qualifying to become an outstanding football referee.

A consultant by profession, Deschamps referees for leisure. She has refereed finals and semi finals at grassroots level. The woman in black is part of an exclusive club – she is part of a select group of FA Licensed Referee Instructors.
The football Ambassador told me that she is active as a Level 5 referee. At Supply League level she is an Assistant, and she also officiates in the London Amateur Football Combination League.

It is evident that Lorraine has the knowledge and qualities to make an impact and shine in the game, just like Hope Powell and Karen Brady. She is confident that women have the capabilities and qualities to be treated as equals in the game: “I don’t believe it’s right to fast track anybody if they don’t have the ability. I advise people to focus on their abilities. I personally wouldn’t see the barriers but would work very hard to allow my potential to be fulfilled. Hard work pays off and if you try your hardest opportunities will arise.”
Deschamps added: “Role models are key elements in increasing participation in football and therefore it is important to create a greater empathy and understanding, especially among marginalised communities. Role models are key in engaging communities.”
I ask what makes a good official. “The secret to refereeing is first to have control of yourself. Maintaining concentration is extremely hard over 90 minutes. It’s not just about being physically fit enough to keep pace with the game for a minimum of 90 minutes.”

Deschamps, who is an equal opportunities advocate, represents the Football Association as a “Football For All” Ambassador and is a director of Sporting Equals Ltd, a charitable organisation funded by Sport England which aims to eradicate racial discrimination in all sports. She also represents Sporting Equals on the Sports Equity Alliance, an umbrella organisation set up to promote diversity and equality across all sports inEngland.