Eleni Glouftsis will make history on Sunday when she becomes the first female field umpire to adjudicate an official AFL match.

Glouftsis will officiate the Carlton-Essendon game at Ikon Park on Sunday.

"We're really happy to say that Eleni will now make her NAB Cup debut this week," Kennedy told AFL.com.au.

"It's a great step forward in her development but also for umpiring development as a community. It's fantastic."

The South-Australian native moved to Melbourne at the end of 2014 to take up a three-year AFL Female Pathway scholarship.

Glouftsis is one of 12 AFL rookie umpires this year, but could still officiate a match during the premiership season should an emergency umpire be required to step in during a game.

"Anything can happen," Kennedy said.

"Eleni is now a rookie umpire on the AFL list so she can sit on the bench. If the opportunity comes and someone is injured, then yes, Eleni will be out there umpiring."

The 23-year-old began umpiring in 2008 and progressed through the SANFL under-16s, under-18s and reserves before making her senior state league debut in August 2013. 

The AFL already has three female umpires in its ranks with Chelsea Roffey, Rose O'Dea and Sally Boud behind goal.