By Ashliegh Jarzenski
Engagement Insider

Obviously women are not taking the field to play in the NFL, but that won't stop us from officiating the game! Women now have the opportunity to become officials for the sport through the launch of a grassroots program--WON or Women Officiating Now. 

The first phase of the launch is a camp for young women ages 12-17 hosted by the NY Sharks, a woman's pro-football team, where they will learn football strategies and skills. The program will launch on May 18th at the College of Staten Island. With the initiation of this program, WON hopes to plant the seed of officiating for women to stay connected to the game of football and create a pipeline of women officials.

Women are already making strides toward the gridiron as the NFL creates opportunities in officiating. In 2012, the NFL introduced 42-year-old Shannon Eastin as the first woman official of the game. The Pro-Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio now houses the hat and whistle she used during her first preseason game between the Detroit Lions and the St. Louis Rams.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell promises,

"There are more coming, by the way. We've been working along this path to try to properly train and prepare a female official, and now we have the opportunity."

"I hope to show it really doesn't matter if you are male or female," Eastin said.

By 2020, WON hopes to establish national programs for female officials on all levels and ultimately select top finalist women to officiate the NFL. No timeouts for women called here!

If you are interested in more information about females in officiating, please contact NFL Officiating or email FOA@NFL.com