While Patterson is no stranger to the FFA Cup scene having become the first female referee to officiate in the competition in August 2015, she admits that taking charge of a quarter final in the competition will be “one of the biggest” games in her career to date.

“I have developed a lot as a ref over the past few years,” Patterson explained. “I have been refereeing in the National Premier Leagues which is a strong competition, and that has helped me to pick up my game in terms of my fitness, as well as how I read the play and make decisions," she said.

“Exposure to the FFA Cup has taken my refereeing to a whole new level due to the knockout nature of the tournament. The stakes are higher so you need to up your game and make sure that you are facilitating a match that is fair and exciting,” she said.

Patterson said refereeing in the A-League was somehting she hoped to achieve.

“I really love refereeing the men’s game,” she said. “It’s different to women’s football – not better or worse – it just requires something different of you because of the pace of the game and the speed that decisions must be made.”

“The A-League is the top league in Australia and New Zealand and I have been building and challenging myself in the NPL, so it would be a natural progression to move from the NPL to the FFA Cup, then on to the A-League."

Football Federation Australia’s Director of Referees Ben Wilson said Patterson’s appointment was based on her strong performances in previous FFA Cup matches as well as NPL fixtures.

“All the female referees involved in this year’s FFA Cup have had to earn their opportunity,” Wilson said. “There have not been any concessions given or shortcuts taken, and I don’t think they would want it any other way.”