Celebrating Women in Volleyball: A Spotlight on Referees and Coaches

As we continue to celebrate International Women’s Day this month, we want to spotlight some of our amazing female referees and coaches. While the athletes on the court often capture the spotlight, it's important to recognise the unsung heroes behind the scenes: our match officials. Without their dedication and expertise, the sport would not grow and develop as it has.

Becoming a volleyball referee is essential for ensuring the integrity and smooth operation of the sport. Referees provide structure to local, national, and international competitions, helping the sport grow while upholding its standards. They also foster a culture of fairness and respect, creating a positive environment for players and fans alike.

Allegra, who was named SVL Rookie Referee of the Year last year after just one year in the role, embodies this dedication. She shares how becoming a referee has given her a strong sense of community and how the support from chief referees has helped her grow and develop.

Allegra’s journey into refereeing began after she and her friends started playing volleyball together. They would rent courts and take turns playing and refereeing, which allowed Allegra to learn more about the rules, signals, and how to apply them. This experience sparked her interest in officially refereeing and immersing herself further in the volleyball community.

When asked about her experience, Allegra expressed her love for watching matches and how the view from the referee's stand, despite being intimidating, was entertaining. She encourages other women to get involved in refereeing, highlighting how it helps develop independence and quick decision-making skills. Referees hold significant authority during a match, and Allegra believes that the role is rewarding and provides opportunities for constant learning, particularly with the support of supervising chief referees. She also emphasizes how refereeing offers the chance to observe a diverse range of players, making each match unique and unpredictable. “I highly encourage getting into this side of volleyball,” she says. “It’s a supportive community, it expands your knowledge of the sport, and it’s an overall unique and fun experience.”

Coaches are the backbone of our sport and are key in nurturing players’ skills, teamwork, and understanding of the game. Coaches not only teach techniques and strategies but also inspire athletes, building their confidence and fostering a love for the sport. This is no truer for Kelly Hunter, a recent addition to our VNSW Pathways Team.

After being involved in the sport for many years as a player, Kelly then decided to give coaching her Central Coast club a go, and since then, she hasn't looked back. Kelly joined our state team program back in 2018 as an assistant coach and has been involved ever since. Kelly's favourite aspect of coaching is seeing the progress of her athletes and teams. She also enjoys the competition aspect of coaching; being in the tournament environment and working with her athletes to help them perform at their best in crucial moments is one of her favourite aspects of coaching. When we asked Kelly if she thinks more girls or women should get into coaching, she said, "If there are any girls out there who play volleyball and are considering coaching, I'd definitely encourage them to do it. I believe it not only helps with personal growth, but also helps you understand the game better, and may help you become a better player yourself. It's also a great way to give back to the sport and help to continue its progress" 

Brit Carlson is another inspiring female coach who combines her passion for volleyball to inspire the next generation to love the sport. Brit’s coaching journey began with university volleyball beginner courses, then progressed through coaching the Spikeroos and youth and junior Phoenix state teams. She is now also a member of the Australian U20 Girls’ coaching group.

Brit attributes much of her coaching development to valuable conversations with others and embracing a variety of opportunities. Her love for volleyball as a player has shaped her coaching philosophy, and one of her favorite aspects of being a coach is supporting her athletes as they work toward their goals, all while ensuring they have fun and stay true to themselves. Brit is passionate about instilling her love for the game in younger generations and helping athletes gain confidence in skills that will serve them both on and off the court.

When asked whether she would encourage other young women to get into coaching, Brit wholeheartedly says, “100% absolutely! Especially now, with the investment in women’s sports, there are so many fantastic resources available. The best place to start is by talking to teammates, current or previous coaches, clubs, and state associations. You never know what might happen just by saying yes.”

Allegra, Kelly and Brit are just a few examples of the magnificent and empowering women who are contributing to our sport from a different avenue. Whilst traditionally, these roles are dominated by males, it is wonderful to see the growth of female coaches and officials within our sport, and we encourage more women and girls to take up opportunities in these roles more often!