Canadians Chosen To Officiate At World Cup

Ottawa, Ontario – The Canadian Soccer Association is pleased to announce the appointment of two Canadians to officiate at the upcoming 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup from September 20-October 12, 2003 in the United States.



Sonia Denoncourt and Denise Robinson have been chosen with Lynda Bramble of Trinidad and Tobago to work together as a trio throughout the whole event. The three person referee team format was implemented for the first time at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan and will be adopted for this year’s Women’s World Cup.



The two Canadians are among 36 chosen from across the world to work in one of 12 referee teams to arbitrate the entire event. Three additional referees from the host country (USA) have also been chosen to act as extra fourth officials only.



Denoncourt of Aylmer, Quebec will be heading to her third straight World Cup with two Olympics in between as referee, a record not held by any other woman or man. Her experience includes 26 years as a referee (FIFA since 1994) and over 85 international matches.



“I am very honoured and excited to be appointed to my third World Cup in a row. I have a lot of pleasure and satisfaction refereeing, and this coming World Cup will hopefully be another successful and surely enjoyable moment in my career. Thank you to every one who helped me to achieve my goals,” said Denoncourt.



“I feel that I have reached a good level of performance mixed with 26 years of experience, a lot of passion for the game, enthusiasm and a strong desire to be better every game I do. I surely want to be the best I can be. The players deserve respect and need to be protected, and that is my goal.”



This will be the first World Cup appointment for Robinson who is an assistant referee from Whitby, Ontario with 12 years of experience. Robinson has assisted in 20 international matches including the recent 2003 Pan American Games in the Dominican Republic, the FIFA Under-19 Women’s World Championship held in Canada in 2002, and the 2000 CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup in the United States.



“What a thrill it is to be selected for the FIFA Women’s World Cup! It is certainly the pinnacle and dream of any referee’s career,” said Robinson. “I would like to thank first and foremost my husband Stephen and my son Eric, along with my mom Hélène, who, without them, be able to dedicate the time and energy needed to officiate at this level.”



“I would also like to thank Steve Mortimer and Gord Arrowsmith, my longtime mentors, who have prepared me and expected the highest of standards regardless of the game at hand. I am very grateful to all those who have played a pivotal role in my development as an official. I am really looking forward to working in a trio with my good friend and role model, Sonia Denoncourt, and know that we will continue to demonstrate that Canadian referees belong on the world stage. It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I intend to represent Durham Region and Canada well.”



All appointed referees will report in Philadelphia on September 17th before the tournament commences.