A Keighley-based female referee has a chance of officiating at next year’s Paralympic Games.

Jayne Hart has only been refereeing for six years but is one of 25 officials to have been chosen for a national training programme to decide which ten will go on to take charge of football matches at the Games.

Hart, who lives in Stanbury near Haworth and is a member of the Keighley and District Referees’ Association, admits there is a strong collection of referees vying for a place but is excited about possibly getting the nod.

She said: “I was very pleased to be told that I’d been selected (for the training programme).

“I got selected from 150 people as one of 25 to referee in different tournaments leading up to the Paralympics.

“I know the competition is very stiff. There are ex-Premier League refs and level one, two and three refs and ones who have dealt with disability football.

“It would be absolutely fantastic. I’m sure it would be very enjoyable to take part and to stay at the Olympic village as well.”

Hart, 54, admits being selected would be a highlight of her refereeing career to date, in which she also officiates in the Lancashire League as well as the Bradford Sunday Alliance League.

She is currently a level six official but is hoping to achieve promotion to level five at the end of the season, which would classify her as a senior county referee.

Although she is determined to promote participation in sport among younger people, Hart says she is enjoying her involvement with disability football.

She added: “The disability officer at the County FA did a talk at a seminar and asked if anyone would be interested in getting involved in disability football.

“I went along to see what it was about and I really enjoyed it.

“I went to a disability tournament at Harrogate where 64 teams participated and I thought it was fantastic.

“It’s so humbling to see what people with a disability can achieve.

“I went into refereeing quite late on but I wanted to do it because I believe in getting kids involved in sport and that was part of my first year when I refereed the Bradford City girls’ team.

“I’d like to get to level five but then I’d have to make a decision about going on to level four.

“I want to see what comes on the back of the cerebral palsy football and see if I can get more involved in disability football.

“I’ve also looked at doing an assessors course and maybe mentoring younger referees and female referees.”