The first female football referees, Ineke Boom and Nel Rentenaar, have finally received an official KNVB (Royal Dutch Football Association) diploma after almost 65 years. They are considered pioneers in the emancipation of women in the football world.
Boom and Rentenaar received their diploma on Friday in Alkmaar. The presentation took place at the book launch of The Women of ’61, written by sports historian Jurryt van de Vooren. Boom and Rentenaar received the first copies.
In 1961, Rentenaar, Boom, and Klaziena Laan surprised the football world with their debut as female referees. They officiated a youth tournament in Alkmaar. Their performances are considered a pivotal moment, as football for women was banned in many countries at the time. Until that point, women had never held an official position in the football world.
The three women secretly received training from the North Holland department of the KNVB. According to the national KNVB rules, this was illegal, so the trio did not receive an official diploma.
Recognition finally came in November 1962, but by then Boom and Rentenaar had already quit. Laan, who has since passed away, continued longer and did receive a KNVB diploma.
In recent years, more and more female referees have appeared on the highest stage. In October of last year, a woman refereed a men’s match in Dutch professional football for the first time: Shona Shukrula.