XFL female referees 2023: Full list of women referees for the league in ongoing season

The XFL is the first pro football competition in the country to feature a sizable percentage of female officials and personnel; other organizations attempting to acquire more female officials can learn a lot from the XFL's example.

The XFL has a total of six female referees for the 2023 season because they want to demonstrate to the global space that they are an open league and encourage women to participate more in men-dominated fields.

All XFL football referees are employed by the league based on ability; they have the required expertise and are thought to be the best in their field.

Here's a complete list of all the female referees in the league.

#1 - Krystle Apellaniz

In addition to officiating football games, Apellaniz has experience officiating college basketball games.

The Hula Bowl 2023 all-female officiating crew included Apellaniz. She also participated in the NFL's Mackie Development Program.

#2 - Amanda Sauer

In many ways, Amanda Sauer has made history as a football referee. She started as an official with the Alliance of American Football and is currently employed by the XFL.

She lost her husband, Peter, in 2012 and claimed that training to be a referee aided her recovery.

#3 - Catherine Conti

Cat became the first woman to oversee a Big 12 game, and the Big 12 Conference appointed her as the referee. She worked as a server before becoming a referee; currently, she also works as an instructor and consultant in addition to being a referee.

#4 - Karina Tovar

Karina Tovar claimed that she first became interested in the sport as a young child by watching matches on television on Saturdays and Sundays. She claimed that even before she could speak English well, her interest in American sports began to grow as an immigrant.

"Growing up, I used to compare it a lot to chess. There are so many bright minds on the football field, from coaches to players."

Karina is among the XFL's female referees and one of the youngest. Together with basketball and football, she is also skilled at softball.

Head coach Brent Pry of the Virginia Tech Hokies talks with field judge Karina Tovar before the game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack

#5 - LaShell Nelson

Side judge LaShell Nelson officiates the XFL game between the LA Wildcats and the DC Defenders

The first time someone advised LaShell Nelson to explore football officiating, she was in her early twenties, competing in a flag football league in Texas.

Nelson decided to reconsider in 2014, more than ten years later, after witnessing a woman take over as the substitute ref for an NFL game on television. Currently, 43-year-old Nelson has become the first Black woman to oversee football matches for the Big Ten Conference. She presided over several significant contests in 2020 and 2021, including Iowa's victory against Penn State.

She has XFL experience dating back to 2020.

#6 - Monique Washington

Washington is another female official from the XFL who was a member of the all-female officials for the 2023 Hula Bowl. Washington and Henrietta Powell caused a stir in 2021 by becoming the first female MEAC football referees.