Quick Facts
Biography
Tupou Patia (born 17 April 1984) is a football player and referee from the Cook Islands. In 2015 she served as a referee at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada, becoming the first person from the Cook Islands, male or female, to serve as a referee at a FIFA World Cup.
Career
Patia was born in the Cook Islands in 1984 to Puroku and Tere Patia. Both her parents were keen sports players and Patia and her two sisters grew up playing volleyball, netball, football, rugby and touch. Patia began playing football when she was 10 years old, and at the age of 15, she was selected for the national football team. She participated in a number of regional tournaments, including the Oceania Women's Championship in 2003.
In 2011 Patia was selected as a referee for the Pacific Games held in New Caledonia. She also refereed at the Oceania Under-20s Women's Championship in 2014.