As part of the celebrations for the 2024 Female Football Week, Capital Football are hosting a ‘Women in Sports’ panel at the 2024 Awards Brunch, sponsored by Capital Chemist.

Get to know a little about one of the panel members, Capital Football and A-Leagues Match Official, Delfina Shakespear.

Delfina Shakespear is a trailblazer for gender equality and inclusivity, excelling as a National and State-level Football Match Official while advocating for women and girls in sports in the ACT.

With over 15 years of officiating experience, she not only thrives on the field but also dedicates herself to empowering the next generation of female referees. Delfina’s leadership extends beyond officiating as she volunteers as a mentor, educator, administrator and providing strategic advice to Capital Football.

Delfina fearlessly speaks up against abuse and inequitable treatment faced by referees, actively promoting cultural change through media engagement and initiatives like ‘Reduce Abuse’ and ‘We Play as One’.

Delfina’s strategic insight and unwavering determination make her a true champion for systemic and cultural change in sport. Delfina was recently recognised in the ACT Women’s Awards for her contribution to bettering the status of women and girls in the ACT through sport. 

An experienced referee, Delfina has officiated in 99 A-League Women’s (ALW) games, including six ALW Finals Series and a Grand Final. Having made her NPL Match Official debut in 2019, she has officiated over a century of matches, and has won numerous awards including Referee of the Year in both the Men’s and Women’s NPL Competitions.