Summary

In this engaging conversation, Rachel Lee shares her experiences and insights into the world of Ultimate Frisbee, a unique self-officiating sport that emphasises the spirit of the game and inclusivity. Rachel discusses the challenges of confrontation on the field, the dynamics of mixed-gender play, and the importance of community and communication in sports. She reflects on her journey as a player, her cultural background, and the significance of representation in sports, ultimately highlighting how Ultimate Frisbee fosters personal growth and a supportive environment for all players.

Introduction

Rachel was introduced to Ultimate in 2013, having never played the sport before. Since then, she has represented Great Britain in the under-24 youth division and spent five years playing for a London elite mixed team, Deep Space, winning both National and European Championships with them in 2023.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ultimate Frisbee and Self-Officiating

02:53 The Spirit of the Game: Sportsmanship in Ultimate Frisbee

05:56 Collective Scoring and Team Dynamics

08:50 The Role of Observers in Higher-Level Tournaments

11:34 Communication Skills in Ultimate Frisbee

14:29 Rachel's Journey into Ultimate Frisbee

17:31 Mixed Gender Dynamics in Ultimate Frisbee

20:37 Inclusiveness and Community in Ultimate Frisbee

23:05 Cultural Background and Representation in Sports

27:53 Finding Community and Representation

31:28 The Spirit of the Game in Ultimate Frisbee

36:04 Inclusivity in Sports

41:45 Challenges in Self-Officiating Sports

50:39 Reflections on Personal Growth and Advocacy

Summary

Amy Pu reflects on the inspiring journey of Desislava Bozhilova, the first woman to referee all finals in the Triple Crown Tournament, highlighting gender equality in sports officiating and the importance of support and mentorship.

Summary

In this episode of We Know the Rules, Desislava Bozhilova shares her inspiring journey as the first female referee to officiate the finals of the Triple Crown Tournament. She discusses the challenges and achievements of her career to date, the importance of representation in sports, and her passion for snooker. Desislava emphasises the supportive community within the snooker world and encourages young girls to pursue their interests in the sport, whether as players or referees.

Introduction

Desislava Bozhilova became the first woman to referee all three Triple Crown finals when she was in charge of the World Championship final in 2025. She officiated the finals of the Masters and the UK Championship in 2022, ten years after she passed her exam to become an international referee.

Desislava has a Masters degree in Landscape Architecture and creates 3D visualisations of homes. She now also designs and creates her own triangles and other products.

Summary

In this More Than an Afterthought, Amy Pu reflects on her discussion with Hilary Lissenden, one of her mentors when she was in amateur boxing. She talks about the significance of mentorship, the diverse roles within sports, the courage to pivot in one's career, and the importance of finding joy and maintaining mental health in professional pursuits. Amy emphasises that mentorship should not be limited to gender, and that there are many ways to engage with sports beyond being an athlete. She also highlights the need for self-care and the freedom to make choices in one's career path.

Summary

In this conversation, Hilary Lissenden discusses the challenges of self-advocacy in for women in amateur boxing and professional settings, particularly when it comes to career advancements and upgrades, from her own personal experience. She reflects on her thirteen-year officiating career, where there were a lot of learning as well as opportunities that helped shape and build her resilience in her professional life.

Introduction

Hilary Lissenden is Executive Director, Sport Strategy & Growth at the University of East London, prior to which she worked for Sadiq Khan over his first term as Mayor of London, responsible for the successful implementation of Sport Unites – a £10m community sport investment programme.

Hilary set up and run London Community Boxing, a charity based in Peckham, and served five years as a director on the Board of England Boxing. Over a 13-year period she worked as a referee and judge, qualifying as an IBA 1* official in 2022. In 2025, she was appointed an independent member of the Steering Group with oversight of World Boxing’s inaugural elite championships in Liverpool.

Summary

In this More Than an Afterthought, Amy Pu reflected on the challenges and lessons learned from being a referee in sports. She emphasises the importance of recognising human mistakes and the need for authenticity in communication. Through her experiences, she highlights the resilience and strength gained from being vulnerable and encourages girls and women to take up the challenge.

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Aimee shares her remarkable journey from being a player to becoming a top referee in the world of rugby. She discusses the challenges and lessons learned in her transition, the importance of authenticity and respect in refereeing, and how her diagnosis of autism has shaped her approach to the game. Aimee emphasises the need for inclusivity in rugby and encourages young women to pursue their passion for the sport, highlighting the growth and potential of women's rugby.

Introduction

Aimee is the first woman to become a professional referee in South Africa and one of three in the world.
She's the first SA woman to referee Craven Week, Varsity Cup, Currie Cup, Super Rugby, URC, EPCR and the U20 World Cup. First woman to 40 women’s test matches and is currently on 49 tests after reffing the semi final of the Women’s Rugby World Cup in London in 2025, as well as run touch for 5 men’s international test matches.
Aimee refereed at the Rio Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and in three Women’s Rugby World Cups. She played in one 7’s World Cup, one 15’s World Cup as well as in 3 Touch Rugby World Cups.
Outside of rugby, Aimee is a qualified biokineticist with her Masters in Sport Science. She lives in Cape Town with her wife and very busy 2 year old!

Summary

In this episode of More Than an Afterthought, I reflect on my conversation with Gabbi, highlighting the challenges faced by female referees and the importance of mentorship in sports. Gabbi challenges the notion of visibility in role models and emphasises the need for women to carve their own paths in professional sports. I also share my own experiences in boxing and the significant role of mentors in my career.

Summary

In this episode of the We Know the Rules podcast, Gabrielle Boateng shares her inspiring journey as a female basketball referee in the UK. She discusses her experiences in officiating, the challenges she faces in a male-dominated sport, and the importance of representation for young girls in sports. Gabrielle emphasises the need for a strong mindset, the significance of self-talk, and the impact of coaching on young athletes. She also highlights the importance of collaboration across sports to address common challenges and create positive change.

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction to Gabrielle Boateng

00:01:45 Gabrielle's Journey in Basketball Officiating

00:04:18 The Excitement of the Super League Cup Final

00:06:54 Earning Opportunities in a Male-Dominated Field

00:08:58 Challenges Faced as a Female Referee

00:13:07 Proving Oneself in Officiating

00:17:20 The Emotional Toll of Officiating

00:23:04 The Path to Becoming a Referee

00:30:17 Paving the Way for Future Generations

00:30:58 Honouring a Mentor's Legacy

00:34:31 The Joys of Officiating and Traveling

00:39:38 Coaching and Inspiring the Next Generation

00:43:44 Embracing the Journey in Officiating

00:48:29 Advice for Young Women in Sports

00:57:19 The Importance of Collaboration in Sports

01:00:54 Outro

Summary

In this More Than an Afterthought, I reflected on what Annika said about her insecurity and how she used it to help herself. I also shared about how I feel about being one of the very few East Asian faces in boxing.