Sports10/10/2025•The Guardian
‘Refereeing is addictive’: Emily Heaslip on going from footballer to official and dealing with abuse
Emily Heaslip, a Women's Super League referee, shares her journey from a footballer to an official, highlighting the challenges and mental toughness required for the role. Refereeing can be "addictive," but it also comes with scrutiny and abuse, which Heaslip has learned to block out. She emphasizes that referees have to find their own ways to be happy with their performances, as their decisions are rarely celebrated like those of the players. Heaslip's story underscores the mental and physical demands of being a referee, a role that requires resilience to handle the intense spotlight and criticism.
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