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.

Summary

In this conversation, Annika, a women's lacrosse umpire, shares her journey into the sport, the differences between men's and women's lacrosse, and the importance of officiating. She discusses her personal growth, the challenges of being an official, and how insecurity can drive improvement. Annika emphasises the significance of mentorship, cultural diversity, and the evolving nature of lacrosse rules. She reflects on her career highlights and aspirations, encouraging young women to pursue officiating as a means of empowerment and confidence-building.

Guest Introduction:

Being introduced to lacrosse in 2010 and having never heard about the sport before, Annika gained her umpiring licence within the first year of starting to play lacrosse in the Netherlands. She developed her skills umpiring in the Dutch national competition and soon started to travel abroad to tournaments, which led to an invitation to attend her first European Championships in 2015. Her CV now includes four European Championships, and two World Championships (both senior and U20/U21 events). Next to umpiring, she works in the financial sector, with a background in (IT) audit and risk management.  

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Women's Lacrosse and Its Differences

03:26 Annika's Journey into Lacrosse

06:25 Insecurity as a Catalyst for Growth

09:23 The Role of an Umpire in Lacrosse

12:06 The Dynamics of Officiating a Lacrosse Game

15:19 The Evolution of Lacrosse Rules

18:17 The Future of Lacrosse in the Olympics

21:08 Annika's Achievements and Future Aspirations

30:46 The Importance of Mentorship

32:21 Reflections on Growth and Change

35:23 Emotional Resilience and Coping Mechanisms

37:53 The Role of Community in Overcoming Insecurities

41:56 Cultural Identity and Its Impact

43:57 Navigating Recognition and Professionalism

49:34 Career Highlights and Personal Growth

53:44 Future Aspirations and Mentorship

56:47 Encouragement for Young Women in Lacrosse

Summary

In this More Than an Afterthought, I reflect on my conversation with Iqra, especially of the moment where she talked about the time when she had to ask for help. I share a personal story about my experience with injury and the lessons learned which could be applied in life.

Guest Introduction

Iqra Malik is a 20 year-old football referee who didn't even like the game when she started, but now, it's one of the biggest parts of her life. What began as something new and unfamiliar has turned into something she's genuinely passionate about. Outside of football, she is also a singer-songwriter and pianist. She currently studies Philosophy and Communications at Nottingham Trent University.

Summary

In this conversation, Iqra shares her inspiringjourney from a non-sporty background to becoming a passionate football referee. She discusses her initial reluctance towards sports, her transition into refereeing, and the personal growth she has experienced along the way. Iqra emphasises the importance of mindset, fitness, and community support in her journey, while also addressing the challenges she faces as a female referee in a male-dominated field. She encourages aspiring referees to find their purpose and take the leap into the sport, highlighting the significance of asking forhelp and being vulnerable. Iqra's story is one of resilience, determination, and the pursuit of excellence in the world of football officiating.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:30 Journey into Refereeing

05:51 Mindset and Personal Growth

08:57 Challenges of Being a Female Referee

11:49 Balancing University and Refereeing

17:42 Path to Becoming a Referee

19:41 Aspirations and Role Models

22:51 Refereeing Style and Learning Curve

28:28 The Importance of Fitness in Refereeing

34:13 Vulnerability and the Power of Asking for Help

37:36 Encouragement for Aspiring Female Referees

41:22 Community Support in Refereeing

45:36 Refereeing Journey: Highs and Lows

50:56 Self-Motivation and Inner Strength

53:24 Outro: Like, Share and Subscribe!