With the 2026 outdoor recreational season and Club Referee hiring period upon us, we’ve asked Kate and Carrie to share some of their teaching and learning moments throughout their refereeing journeys.
As Senior Club Referees, Carrie and Kate have shared with us how they handle high-pressure moments, discussed some tips to stay confident when calls are challenged, and what advice they’d give to referees just starting out.
How do you stay tough and confident when making a difficult or unpopular call?
Kate’s motto for being strong on the field is “confidence comes with experience.”
“This is why I think so many new refs quit soon after their first game. You will make mistakes: you will miss a foul, you will make an incorrect call, you won’t successfully deescalate a situation. What you learn from these mistakes, however, you will carry with you into every future game. As each game passes, you will pick up nuances that work for you and drop ones that don’t.”
What is your mindset going into a tournament finals match?
“Confidence, control, and calm. Believing in my knowledge of the Laws of the Game and the lessons I’ve learnt from my past experiences on field will help me to control the game” Kate said.
“Especially in a final, tension levels are already elevated before the game starts. I want to keep control of the game, meaning I need to stay consistent in calling fouls and addressing other inappropriate behaviour on the field aimed at others. To help deescalate these situations, I need to remember to stay calm. Showing the players a calm attitude helps to demonstrate the tone and behaviour I am asking them to reciprocate.”
How do you adapt your officiating style when you have to referee younger players compared to older players?
Carrie started off the conversation by stating that “with younger players, I take more time to explain the rules and why I’ve made a particular call. It’s a teaching moment, and that can really help them learn and feel more confident on the field. With older or more experienced players, the communication is still there, but it’s more about managing the flow and intensity of the game than explaining the basics.
“That confidence makes all the difference. When you’re starting out, it’s easy to second-guess yourself, especially when players, coaches, or fans challenge your decisions. But preparation and experience build confidence, and confidence helps you stay composed in the moment. Trust yourself, take a deep breath and remember you’re the authority on the field. “
Kate then shared the importance of support and reassurance being a part of a referee team.
“My Head Referees have always reinforced that, should I make a difficult call and receive backlash for it, they would always outwardly support my decision to coaches, players or parents. If they disagreed with my decision, this would be something addressed together in private, where we could have a discussion and I could learn about the correct procedure should it happen again.”
“It can feel really lonely on the field as a referee, and you will make mistakes. It feels especially lonely when you make a mistake and you’re standing alone surrounded by parents, coaches, and players who are threatening to have you fired for making an unpopular call (yes, this happens more than you think). Knowing that I had my Head Referees, such as Anna, behind me to support me in these situations, especially at the start of my officiating journey, helped me to feel less alone.”
Kate and Carrie’s experiences highlight just how important confidence, calmness, and support are in refereeing. Their advice shows that mistakes are part of learning, and that growth comes from experience on the field.
For new referees, these insights are a great reminder to trust yourself, lean on your team, and keep building your skills one game at a time.
If you are interested in refereeing with NT, check out our website HERE, or APPLY NOW.
By Leni V. – Club Referee & Ben R. – Club Head Referee