AS millions of people have been gripped by the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 tournament, with the England squad spectacularly reaching the final, a Chester high school teacher is also taking centre stage.
Cheryl Foster, a teacher at The Bishops' Blue Coat Church of England High School, has been selected to referee matches at this year's tournament.
Tonight, she will be taking charge of tonight's semi-final match between Germany and France, as both sides look to book their place against hosts England in Sunday's final.
Miss Foster, 41, is from Bangor in North Wales and was the first ever referee from Wales to take part in the tournament, officiating the Group C match between the Netherlands and Sweden.
This was followed by the Group D game between France and Belgium, where she showed Belgium's Amber Tysiak a red card.
Referee Cheryl Foster shows a red card to Belgium's Amber Tysiak during the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 Group D match at the New York Stadium, Rotherham.
Miss Foster enjoyed an excellent playing career as a forward which included nine years with Liverpool, playing in the team at the start of England's FA Women's Super League.
She made her senior international debut for Wales in 1997 and, by 2009, had become the all-time record appearance holder for Wales at that moment, eventually winning 63 caps over 14 years.
Speaking to Uefa.com, Miss Foster said: ""I'm very proud of every single one of those caps, especially in an era of women's football when it was quite difficult to get so many."
Coming to the end of her playing career in 2013, she wondered what the future held for her.
She said: "I had a few choices - do I carry on playing, or do I go into coaching? But the email was returned from the refereeing department in the Welsh FA…and that's the beginning of the story.
"I was asked to attend a course, and that was it. One door shuts and another door opens, and I'm really pleased I made that decision."
Miss Foster was first named on the international list in December 2015 and became the first female referee in the Welsh Premier League in August 2018.
She added: "It was difficult; there were challenges along the way. I've had to learn the other side of the game, the demands of a referee.
"I didn't know where this journey was going to take me. But I always say now that when I was a player, I wish I'd done a referee course, because then I'd have appreciated how difficult the role is.
"Being on the pitch is an amazing feeling – and, actually, now being a referee, I always say that I'm in the best seat in the house. I'm in the middle of it!"
Miss Foster added: "To be the first Welsh female official at a major tournament…you know, it's on a par with 63 caps; it's on a par with singing that national anthem; it's on a par with playing at Anfield...if not better. It's a major achievement."
Back in Chester, Bishops High is clearly very proud of Miss Foster's achievements.
Prior to the tournament, the school tweeted: "Miss Foster is away these next few weeks reffing some of the top female footballers in Europe at the Euros.
"She is the embodiment of our Bishops Sixth Form mindset. Hard work. Dedication. Focus. Sacrifice. Resilience.
"We are all very proud of you, Miss."
Miss Foster will be refereeing the Germany vs France match at 8pm, which can be seen live on BBC One.
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