Spanish Initiatives and Referees Shine in Women's Sports Recognition of 2025
Spain celebrates women's inclusion in sports with FEDO's program honored and referee Noelia Gutiérrez chosen for the Women's Futsal World Cup final.
- • FEDO's 'Orientación en Verano' received an honorary mention at the 2025 Sports and Citizenship Awards.
- • The program promotes active lifestyles among women, involving 70% female participation.
- • Noelia Gutiérrez appointed to officiate the Women's Futsal World Cup final between Brazil and Portugal.
- • Gutiérrez has 11 seasons of refereeing experience and international recognition attained in 2024.
Key details
Two notable achievements highlight the advancement of women in Spanish sports during 2025. The Spanish Orienteering Federation's (FEDO) "Orientación en Verano" program received an honorary mention at the 2025 Sports and Citizenship Awards organized by the Polytechnic University of Valencia and the Generalitat Valenciana. Since 2009, this initiative has promoted active lifestyles among women and families, with 70% of nearly 200 participants in the latest edition being women. The program fosters gender equality and combats sedentary habits through engagement in orienteering across all ages. The official award ceremony is planned for spring 2026.
In international sports officiating, Noelia Gutiérrez Muñoz, a Castilla-La Mancha referee, was appointed by FIFA to officiate the Women's Futsal World Cup final between Brazil and Portugal. Gutiérrez, with 11 seasons of experience and a recent rise to Segunda division and international status, has officiated multiple matches in the tournament and also refereed key domestic finals this year, including the Copa de la Reina and the Supercopa femenina. Her appointment underscores the progress of Spanish female referees on the global stage, complementing previous Spanish appointments in men's World Cup finals.
These recognitions underscore Spain's growing commitment to women’s participation and leadership in sports, fostering inclusivity and showcasing excellence at both grassroots and elite international levels.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
