Women's Football Hub

Edited by Dr Ian Cookson Women’s Football Hub

When the teams walk onto the pitch, all eyes are on the players. Yet, leading them out, often unnoticed, are the match officials — the referees and assistant referees who make sure the game can even take place. In this week’s episode of the Women’s Football Hub podcast, we sat down with PGMOL performance psychologists Kayleigh Dougan and Dr Sue Jones to lift the lid on the intense, demanding world of officiating.

More Than 90 Minutes

Kayleigh and Sue quickly make it clear: refereeing is not simply about managing a match for 90 minutes on a Saturday or Sunday. Today’s match officials train and prepare like elite athletes. Physical fitness is paramount, with carefully structured weekly programmes including match-day minus one and match-day plus one recovery sessions. They complete tactical reviews, attend training camps, and maintain rigorous mental skills work — all while balancing full-time jobs and family life.

As Sue explains, many match officials are still part-time, with careers outside football. They might be teachers, NHS workers, or even organ transplant specialists. Yet they maintain the training load of a full-time athlete. It’s a level of unseen commitment rarely appreciated by the wider football community.

The Psychological Demands of the Job

The match doesn’t end at the final whistle. Every decision is reviewed, reflected upon, and dissected. Officials complete detailed post-match reflections, clipping moments of decision-making to analyse their processes — not just the outcomes. Growth mindset is at the heart of their development: the willingness to adapt, reflect, and improve, even after years of experience.

Kayleigh and Sue highlight the importance of ‘parking decisions’ — a critical psychological skill. In a game moving at speed, officials must make split-second decisions, process the outcome, and immediately refocus on the next phase of play. Dwelling on mistakes isn’t an option. Much like athletes needing to reset after an error, officials must train themselves to stay present and resilient.

The rise of the women’s game has only increased the scrutiny. Bigger crowds, media attention, and social media commentary add to the pressure on officials. Kayleigh notes the recent 38,000 attendance at Newcastle’s women’s match — a sign of how fast the landscape is changing. This growth is exciting but demands more from match officials at every level, mentally and physically.

Referees as a Team

Another myth busted: referees don’t work alone. A match-day team includes the referee, assistant referees, and the fourth official — all connected through comms throughout the game. Teamwork is vital. Officials need to support each other, encourage focus, and communicate effectively under pressure.

Sue emphasises that, unlike club football where players train together daily, officiating teams often meet just hours before a match. Building trust and cohesion quickly is critical. That means pre-match calls, establishing shared values, and creating clear communication strategies — all skills developed and supported by the psychologists and coaches within PGMOL.

Coping with External Pressures

Kayleigh and Sue also highlight the external pressures officials face, from media commentary to social media abuse. Officials can receive five or more different reports on a single match — from coaches, observers, and analysts — each offering varying opinions. Here, the role of a sounding board becomes crucial.

As psychologists, they provide a safe space for officials to offload and process emotions, helping them sift through feedback and stay grounded. Crucially, they remind officials that, beyond the referee’s jersey, they are people first.

Opportunities Beyond the Pitch

Officiating offers pathways to incredible opportunities. As Kayleigh notes, walking out in front of tens of thousands at Wembley as a match official is an achievement many players never experience. Officials can aspire to finals, major tournaments, and international recognition. Emily Carney’s recent selection as an assistant referee for the UEFA Women’s EUROs is testament to what’s possible.

Yet grassroots support is vital. Sue points out that without officials, there is no game. Encouraging more young people, especially girls, to see refereeing as a career path is essential. Education for players, coaches, and fans about the realities of officiating can help change attitudes and reduce dropout rates.

Takeaways for the Football Community

Kayleigh and Sue left listeners with clear advice:

• For match officials: Trust the process. Build a strong support network and don’t be afraid to speak up when things aren’t right.
• For coaches: Take a refereeing course to better understand the laws of the game and appreciate the challenges officials face.
• For everyone: Remember that officials love what they do. Respect for officials is crucial to the health and growth of the sport.

Because when the whistle blows and the game kicks off, it’s the officials who make it all possible.

🎙️ Listen to the full episode now

#WomensFootball #Referees #MatchOfficials #FootballPsychology #GrowthMindset #PerformanceUnderPressure #WomensFootballHub #RespectTheOfficials