We Know The Rules

Amy Pu
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Conversations with inspiring women in sports as referees, umpires or other officiating capacities. Get to know their stories and how they get to where they are now. Be ready to be inspired and motivated by their mindset and courage, stepping into a world that has been dominated by men for so long.

  1. MAY 11

    Conversation with Katarina Cepinova - First Female International Volleyball Referee in the UK, Senior Volleyball England Referee, Respected Mentor and Project Lead for Her Call

    Summary Katarina Cepinova shares her inspiring journey as the first female international indoor volleyball referee for England, discussing her career progression, challenges, and initiatives to support women in officiating. Introduction Katarina started playing volleyball since the age of 6 in Slovakia. After Moving to the UK at the age of 18, she played for LVA and NVL teams for over 10 years before moving into refereeing. She passed Referee grade IV course in 2008 and started to referee NVL in 2010. She served as dual technical official (scorer and line judge) at London 2012 Olympics. She took the International referee course in 2016 in Argentina and fully qualified in 2018 when she became the first Female international indoor volleyball referee in England. Two years ago, she officially launched HerCall with Volleyball England for all female referees' development and support - now the group has 15 ambassadors. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Katarina Cepinova 01:38 Breaking Barriers in Volleyball Refereeing 05:02 The Journey from Player to Referee 08:07 The Role of Support Networks in Refereeing 11:37 Amateur Status of Volleyball in England 14:48 Preparing for Matches: Physical and Mental Aspects 20:09 The Importance of Nutrition and Hydration 23:21 The Spectator Experience in Volleyball 27:15 Perceptions of Female Referees 30:52 Navigating Emotional Boundaries in Refereeing 33:23 Developing a Personal Refereeing Style 33:40 Empowering Female Referees through Mentorship 37:23 The Evolution of Support Networks for Female Referees 39:44 Building Confidence in Female Referees 43:42 Refereeing Journey: Highs and Lows 48:41 Resilience and Learning from Mistakes 53:57 Future Aspirations and Mentorship 57:16 Advice for Aspiring Female Referees

    59 min

  2. APR 27

    More Than an Afterthought - My Conversation with Rachel Lee

    Summary Amy Pu reflects on the conversation she had with Rachel Lee, an Ultimate Frisbee player, and the unique aspects of the sport focusing on the spirit of the game. She discusses about personal growth through sports and highlights how these principles can be applied across all sports and life.

    6 min

  3. APR 13

    Conversation with Rachel Lee - Self-officiating in Ultimate Frisbee; Dealing with Confrontation from East Asian background; Recognising being Different is a Strength

    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

    41 min

  4. MAR 23

    More Than an Afterthought - My Conversation with Desislava Bozhilova

    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.

    4 min

  5. MAR 9

    Conversation with Desislava Bozhilova - Making History with the First Triple Crown, Snooker being a Supportive Environment

    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.

    38 min

  6. FEB 23

    More Than an Afterthought - My Conversation with Hilary Lissenden

    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.

    9 min

  7. FEB 9

    Conversation with Hilary Lissenden - International One Star Boxing Referee, Director, World Boxing Steering Group, Supporting the Community

    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.

    1h 1m

  8. FEB 2

    More Than an Afterthought on My Conversation with Aimee Barrett-Theron

    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.

    6 min
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About

Conversations with inspiring women in sports as referees, umpires or other officiating capacities. Get to know their stories and how they get to where they are now. Be ready to be inspired and motivated by their mindset and courage, stepping into a world that has been dominated by men for so long.

Information

  • Creator
    Amy Pu
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Amy Pu
  • Show Website
    We Know The Rules