Halifax soccer referee lives the dream at the Women's World Cup

Soccer referee Marie-Soleil Beaudoin is back home in Halifax after representing Canada on the world stage at a record-breaking Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

She was one of five Canadian match officials selected for the tournament in July and August.

"To referee at the Women's World Cup is such a dream for a referee, just like it's a dream for a player to reach that level," she said.

Beaudoin was the referee for two round-robin group stage games, before being part of the officiating team in a knockout game involving co-host Australia, in front of a huge crowd of more than 75,000 fans.

It was one of the biggest ever crowds for a Women's World Cup match.

The tournament set attendance records, according to the sport's governing body FIFA, which expected as many as two billion people to watch around the world.

"It's great to see the growth of the women's game," said Beaudoin. "Even in the last four years since the last World Cup, the amount of interest has grown exponentially."

Beaudoin, who also refereed matches at the 2019 World Cup in France, has been refereeing internationally since 2014.

Her journey to that level began by refereeing grassroots kids' games before she moved up to more competitive levels by earning her regional badge in 2008. Then progressing to the provincial level a year later, and eventually gaining her national badge in 2013. 

She has been refereeing professional men's soccer in the Canadian Premier League since 2019.

At the Women's World Cup, she took charge of Denmark's 1-0 win over China in Perth, before being appointed to referee Norway's 6-0 victory against the Philippines in Auckland. 

Beaudoin was then chosen as the fourth official, assisting the referee from the sidelines for