The A-League assistant referee and Blacktown school teacher will be running the line at the Games and hopes it will encourage other young women to try and emulate her.

Speaking at today's announcement of Zurich's three-year sponsorship of officials, Ho told au.fourfourtwo.com that she cannot wait to jet off and test herself in the Olympic arena.

She said: "If I can inspire girls and women to become involved in football I think that's a really positive thing.

"I'm heading off to Beijing at the end of July with the tournament starting on August 6.

"Four to six weeks before a tournament my training regime picks up quite intensely and the more matches the better. That can mean doing a game in front of lots of people or working with kids at a high school event.

"Whatever game you're doing, that's where your focus is, that's the most important game of the day and you want it to be right.

"I love doing internationals and local games. I just love it."

Those carrying the flag often find themselves the brunt of the crowd's abuse but Ho enjoys the role.

She said: "Your decisions are very black and white. It's offside or it's not.

"I like that black and whiteness of being an assistant referee. I know when I've had a good game and so does everyone else.

"In the a-league, people haven't made any comments. To the players I'm just another assistant referee and that's how I like it."

During the course of her day job, Ho does her best to try and encourage her female students to become involved in sports officiating.

She said: "I tell them it's a great way to be involved in football and it pays a whole lot better than working at your local fast food joint or the supermarket."

Her students do follow her fortunes via the internet, most recently when she was away at the Asian Cup in Vietnam.

She admits it is very hard to juggle her teaching and football duties. "Last year I had to take six months leave without pay. I'm lucky that my boss is very supportive."

FFA chief executive Ben Buckley told au.fourfourtwo.com at today's launch that full-time referees for the A-League was not on the immediate horizon but Ho would love to see it happen.

She said: "That would be my dream job.

"I do love being a teacher but it's very difficult for me to balance my work and my refereeing. If they did that (full-time refs) it would really lift the standard because people can then focus on that."