EPIC for Girls, J’s Braintrust to launch next “Girls Ref the World” Cohort, Empowering Young Women in Sports Officiating

In partnership with J’s Braintrust Consulting Services, EPIC for Girls is excited to announce the launch of the next cohort of Girls Ref the World, a dynamic program designed to empower young women, ages 14-18, to step into the world of sports officiating.

Officiating is not only about understanding the rules of the game—it’s about leadership, confidence, and breaking down barriers. This program offers participants a combination of hands-on training, skill-building workshops, and opportunities for paid officiating positions, opening doors for young women to build careers in a field traditionally dominated by men.

Beyond teaching the technical aspects of officiating, Girls Ref the World helps participants develop soft skills like confidence and leadership, preparing them for success both on and off the field. The program aims to nurture the next generation of leaders and changemakers in the sports industry.

Jeffrey Williams of J's Braintrust highlighted the importance of the program, saying, “Officiating is a fantastic way for young women to take on leadership roles and build a career in sports. Through this program, we aim to inspire young women to become changemakers in the sports industry.”

Key features of Girls Ref the World include:

• Comprehensive officiating training for a variety of sports

• Soft-skill development to enhance leadership and confidence

• Career preparation to help participants secure paid officiating jobs

Registration is currently open for the program, with interviews scheduled from Nov. 1-8. Classes will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Omaha North High School, 4410 N. 36th St., on the following dates:

• Nov. 12, 14, 19, 24

• Dec. 3, 5, 10, 12

• Makeup/snow days: Dec. 17, 19

Inquiries can be directed to Racquel at racquel@epicgirls.org or Jeffrey Williams at j.williams@jsbraintrust.org.

EPIC for Girls and J's Braintrust looks forward to seeing the next generation of young women take the lead in sports officiating!