THE KICK-OFF for what could be a promising future on the sporting field has got underway for Tavistock's only female football referee.

Sports-mad Stephanie Hutchins has taken up the whistle and is not afraid to take out the red card if necessary to keep the boys on side.

Stephanie, aged 15 and who attends Tavistock College, loves her football and cricket, and when she's not playing is more than happy to don her referee kit and take charge of the game.

Competing from the age of eleven, Stephanie now plays for Tavistock College U15 girls football team, Tavistock Community Football Team U15s and coaches the U5s and U8s at coach Mark Wickett's soccer school.

She is also a dab hand with bat and ball, playing for Yelverton Bohemians U15s as well as for West Devon and Devon cricket teams. In her 'spare' time, she is also a member of Tavistock Army Cadet Force.

Having passed her basic referee course, Stephanie is now qualified to referee matches and regular takes charge of U11s and U15s matches in the Devon Junior Minor League. She also runs the line at Argyle Academy matches.

Stephanie told the Times: 'I first became interested in refereeing when I saw a female ref at Plympton in charge of a cup final and thought I would like to do that.

'It can be a bit nerve wracking and there's a lot to take in. Sometimes I make a mistake but I try to be fair and follow the rules and just get on with it. I enjoy it and is good fun.

'I would love to go the World Cup one day and be a ref. Whether I ever get the opportunity is another thing but I'm just seeing what happens.'

Neil Jordain, West Devon's football development officer, is heartened by Stephanie's progress — but not surprised.

'I know Stephanie wants to be a football coach and refereeing is a natural step for her in the learning process. This will give her great experience. We struggle for football referees and welcome females to apply as new referees are essential for the gamem' said Neil.

'Stephanie has a very good temperament and the children look up to her and respect her decisions. She has great enthusiasm and wants to get involved all the time.

'Refereeing in general is reckoned to be a male role and normally for those who are 18 years old plus as it's not an easy job.

'She is very positive, not afraid to make decisions under pressure and there is no reason why Stephanie cannot progress as far as she wants in refereeing or coaching.'

Stephanie thanked both Neil and Mark for giving her the opportunity to take up refereeing and coaching.

Her mum Colette said her daughter had shown an aptitude for being proactive in her sport when she was at junior school.

'Stephanie took the initiative to raise money to buy four new footballs for her school in order to encourage more girls to take up the sport.

Colette said: 'Stephanie just loves her sport, whether its football or cricket, playing, refereeing or coaching. When it comes to refereeing the kids love her because she's fair and handles them well.

'I remember standing on the touchline once when Stephanie was the referee and a team coach was shouting at her criticising her decisions.

'I was mortified but she just let it go over her head.

'If there is any criticism, it doesn't normally come from the players or their mums — it's mostly the dads who think they know better!

'But Stephanie is down to earth and doesn't let anything faze got on with the job.'