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!