Alessia Ferrari
Alessia Ferrari | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1989 |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Occupation | Water polo referee |
Alessia Ferrari (born 1989) is an Italian water polo referee, who has officiated in major international competitions, including the 2022 European Championships, 2023 World Championships, and the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Presently she holds a Women’s A+ category ranking among European water polo referees.[1][2]
Early life
Ferrari grew up in Genoa and began playing water polo with the local club in Bogliasco, later also engaging in synchronized swimming. She graduated in naval engineering and is affectionately nicknamed "micro" for her petite stature.[3]
Refereeing career
Ferrari made her Serie A1 debut as a referee in November 2017. She advanced through the ranks to become Italy’s top-tier woman official.
In the 2022 European Women’s Championships in Split, she was assigned to referee the gold-medal final between Spain and Greece, alongside Croatian Nenad Peris.[4]
In 2023, she officiated at the World Championships in Fukuoka and was one of eight women appointed to referee both women’s and men’s matches at the senior level, contributing to increased gender equity in elite officiating.[5]
A 2024 European Aquatics grading placed Ferrari at the very top of the Women’s A+ category, above all other female referees.[6]
She regularly officiates in club competitions, including the LEN Champions League Women.[7][8][9]
In March 2024, Ferrari was selected by World Aquatics as one of two Italian referees, alongside Raffaele Colombo, for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, marking her Olympic debut.[10][11] She officiated five women’s tournament matches in Paris.[12]
Ferrari is a member of the Women’s Committee of the World Waterpolo Referee Association, representing Italy among other international officials.[13]
Personal life
She enjoys photography, traveling (especially to Andalusia), and trofie al pesto. A passionate Genoa football fan, Ferrari has served as ambassador and testimonial for Genova European Capital of Sport since 2019.[14]
References
- ^ "Mondiali fem, c'è un'italiana per l'oro: Alessia Ferrari" (in Italian). SportFriends.it. 28 Jul 2023.
- ^ ""Oh belin, arbitro la finale…" – Alessia Ferrari e l'orgoglio di Genova" (in Italian). GenovaSport2024. 26 Jul 2023.
- ^ ""Oh belin, arbitro la finale…" – Alessia Ferrari e l'orgoglio di Genova" (in Italian). GenovaSport2024. 26 Jul 2023.
- ^ "Europei: Alessia Ferrari arbitro della finale femminile" (in Italian). WPDWorld. 9 Sep 2022.
- ^ "More gender equity at water polo competition". World Aquatics. 18 Jul 2023.
- ^ "European Aquatics Official Grading 2024–2025". Waterpolo360 News. 5 Apr 2024.
- ^ "Champions League Women – Day 1 Appointments". World Waterpolo Referee Association. 14 Oct 2024.
- ^ "Champions League Women – Day 3 Appointments". World Waterpolo Referee Association. 28 Oct 2024.
- ^ "Champions League Women – Day 5 Appointments". World Waterpolo Referee Association. 28 Jan 2025.
- ^ ""Oh belin, arbitro la finale…" – Alessia Ferrari e l'orgoglio di Genova" (in Italian). GenovaSport2024. 26 Jul 2023.
- ^ "Parigi 2024: Colombo e Ferrari gli arbitri italiani". WPDWorld. 13 Mar 2024.
- ^ "More gender equity at water polo competition". World Aquatics. 18 Jul 2023.
- ^ "WWR Association Committees". World Waterpolo Referee Association.
- ^ ""Oh belin, arbitro la finale…" – Alessia Ferrari e l'orgoglio di Genova" (in Italian). GenovaSport2024. 26 Jul 2023.