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The One with Stacey Pearson

One of the UK's top referees on her career and opening up about her family's IVF journey.

Stacey Pearson is one of the UK’s top football referees.

She works at the highest level of the women’s game, taking charge of WSL matches on a weekly basis as well as officiating on the international stage.

She was added to the FIFA list in 2020, referees at stage 3 in the men’s game, and was assistant referee in front of more than forty thousand people at the 2018 Women’s FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium.

She also had a stellar career as a player with Yeovil Town Ladies, and combines it all with her career as a PE teacher.

And while that is all incredibly important to Stacey, family comes first – and she and her partner Danielle have decided that now is the right time to open up about their IVF journey, and the challenges they’ve faced in starting and growing their family.

This powerful episode covers all those things – how Stacey got her start in football; transitioning from a player to a referee; dealing with the pressure of being an elite official; starting a family; the highs and lows of her and Danielle’s experiences with IVF; why they’re speaking out about their journey now, using their platform to push for change; and why talking is so, so important.

We’re so grateful that Stacey has taken the time to speak so openly about her journey with us, and we think this episode will stick with you for a long time.

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST?
@StaceyPearson11
https://twomumsivfjourney.wordpress.com

WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?
@jack_murley
jack.murley@bbc.co.uk

Release date:

Available now

39 minutes

Podcast