At 33, Denoncourt has only slightly more than a decade left at the highest levels of her sport. FIFA referees face mandatory retirement at the age of 44, and that's if all goes well. If they're not happy with everything about your performance, they won't assign you to another game. While Denoncourt employs the same high standards whether she is refereeing women's or men's games, she noted a huge difference between the two. Fitness is one of the most important factors.
Men run a lot faster.
They really move the ball and they use the field 100 per cent. Women's play is tighter and there is a big difference in the way they commit faults. Lots of people like high-level women's soccer because they are really competent technically. It's not as physical so there are more chances to see nice plays and more room for the good players to perform. With only a few barriers remaining in the sport of soccer and with a progressive international federation making the decisions, odds are that Sonia Denoncourt will soon break down yet another barrier.