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Historic Moment: First Female Referees Earn KNVB Diplomas

6/21/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Ineke Boom and Nel Rentenaar became the first female football referees in the Netherlands to receive official KNVB diplomas after 65 years.
Their recognition took place at the book launch of 'De vrouwen van '61' in Alkmaar.
They trained secretly under KNVB rules in 1961, which were later declared illegal.
Klaziena Laan, another trailblazer, received her diploma while still alive.

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Story summary

Ineke Boom and Nel Rentenaar became the first female football referees in the Netherlands to receive official KNVB diplomas after 65 years.
Their recognition took place at the book launch of 'De vrouwen van '61' in Alkmaar.
They trained secretly under KNVB rules in 1961, which were later declared illegal.
Klaziena Laan, another trailblazer, received her diploma while still alive.