A Passion that Connects People Across Backgrounds and Borders

One of the best parts of being a referee? It’s undoubtedly the chance to meet people from all walks of life, nationalities, and professions. Stepping onto the pitch, I find myself surrounded by a diverse mix of individuals who bring their unique backgrounds, skills, and life experiences to the game. For anyone who has ever been curious about what makes refereeing special, the answer is simple: it’s the people.

A Global Community, Right on the Pitch

Refereeing has introduced me to individuals from every corner of the world. My referee crew has included people from Uruguay, France, China, South Africa, Nigeria, and just about every place in between. I’ve worked with those from South America, across Europe, and all over Africa. On one game, I even found myself on a crew with a few French-speaking referees from different African countries. Despite being from separate regions, they instantly bonded over shared languages and experiences. It’s moments like these that remind me of the unique connections that refereeing creates, and I’m so grateful to be part of this global community.

Age Is Just a Number

Refereeing brings people of all ages together. Whether it’s a 13-year-old just getting their start in the game or a 75-year-old seasoned pro, each person brings fresh perspectives to the field. This broad range of ages creates such a rich learning environment, where younger referees bring energy and ambition while more experienced referees share invaluable wisdom.

From CEOs to Musicians: The Referee Roster is Always Unique

Refereeing doesn’t just bring together different nationalities and ages; it also introduces me to people with fascinating professions and life paths. I’ve reffed alongside CEOs, pilots, police officers, firefighters, and Federal Reserve employees. Some have day jobs as computer programmers, while others are musicians, actors, or students working multiple jobs to make ends meet. Regardless of socioeconomic background, we all share a love of the game and a passion for being part of it.

Some people referee simply because they love the game, while for others, it’s an important part of their income. It’s amazing to see how a shared passion for soccer brings us together, regardless of the different lives we lead outside of the pitch.

Building Friendships on the Field

After more than ten years of refereeing, I’ve built countless friendships. When I step onto the field with my fellow referees, it feels like I’m working alongside friends I’ve known for years. Out of thousands of interactions, I can only count a handful where we didn’t quickly become fast friends.

Want to see the people I get to work with? Check out my Instagram for a snapshot of two refs I recently worked with! And if you’re considering getting into refereeing, just know that it’s about more than calling the game—it’s about becoming part of a diverse, supportive community that shares an enduring love of the sport.