In today’s episode, Sarah and Tera sit down with Diane Smith, a former collegiate hockey referee, to explore an often overlooked but critical part of the sport: officiating. Diane shares her journey into hockey, the moment she fell in love with the game, and how seeing one female ref changed the entire trajectory of her future.

Together, we dive into:

🏒 What it’s really like to be a female official

🏒 Why new referees quit — and how we can help change that

🏒 How coaches, parents, and players contribute to a safe and positive environment

🏒 The emotional and physical challenges of the job

🏒 Why representation in officiating matters more than ever

🏒 What Diane hopes her legacy will be in the world of hockey

Whether you're a parent, coach, player, or someone who simply loves the game, this conversation will deepen your appreciation for the refs who keep hockey safe, fair, and fun — and inspire more girls and women to pick up a whistle.

💬 Key Takeaways

- Seeing one female ref opened a door for Diane — and she hopes to do the same for others.

- Officiating builds leadership, confidence, communication, and quick-decision skills.

- Keeping refs in the game requires support from everyone — coaches, parents, and players.

- Representation matters: young girls need to see women in roles they might never have imagined.

- At its core, hockey should always be fun, safe, and inclusive.

🤝 Join the Movement If you loved this conversation, hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. And remember:

We belong in hockey — and we deserve to be part of the greatest game in the world. Don’t forget to invite someone else in.