Former Women's Super League player Emily Heaslip has opened up about her transition from footballer to referee, describing the role as 'addictive' despite the challenges. Speaking to mark World Mental Health Day, the Professional Game Match Officials official shared insights into the mental and physical demands of refereeing.
Heaslip, now a full-time professional in her second year, initially dismissed refereeing, finding officials an irritation during her playing days with Watford in the second tier. However, after managing a five-a-side tournament and speaking with female referees, she signed up for an all-female course run by her local county FA. 'The rest is kind of history,' she said.
Juggling playing and officiating, Heaslip eventually stopped playing as refereeing took over. 'It's a really strange thing,' she said. 'Once you get in it, it's quite addictive. Every game, every 90 minutes, is an unknown. Then there's the satisfaction you get from making the right decisions.'
Heaslip highlighted the intense preparation required, including reviewing clips and researching teams' tactics. 'You're working under pressure all the time... The brain is constantly spinning,' she explained. She also noted the importance of camaraderie among officials, acknowledging the vulnerability involved in group reviews.
Despite the scrutiny, Heaslip emphasised the need to find satisfaction in performances while blocking out criticism. 'There's never going to be a clip of a referee talking about a fantastic decision,' she said. 'Football doesn't work like that.'
