How did you actually become a referee? Was it a conscious decision or more of a coincidence?
I started refereeing a few games when I was a junior. This then developed further and further alongside playing field hockey, which also led to me being invited to my first international tournaments. At some point, I was faced with the decision of whether I wanted to continue playing field hockey or be more of a referee in the future.

Was there a turning point when you realized: I can do this at the top level?
This only came with time and working with various umpires managers who gave me the feeling that anything is possible if I continue to work hard on myself and want to do so.

Which game or situation do you remember the most so far – and why?
It’s difficult to pick just one situation. There have been a lot of positive and negative experiences over the last 5 years that have stayed with me. The most important thing is that you draw your conclusions from them and want to keep developing.

What does a typical day look like for you when you are in charge of an important match? Do you have fixed rituals or procedures?
In addition to physical preparation, recovery is important, especially in a week with several games. Tactical preparation is also important. I look at how the two teams have performed so far this season. I also discuss with my team what we can expect. There’s nothing worse than being surprised. It’s important not to have any preconceptions about teams or players and to go into a game with an open mind. On match day, I usually have breakfast and do things around the house, for example, before heading to the game. I’m at the pitch an hour before kick-off. Right before the match, I prepare myself mentally and physically for the game.

What makes refereeing so special for you? What motivates you time and time again?
The greatest fascination is field hockey in and of itself. Field hockey brings together 22 characters, cultures, religions and political views. The goal of a referee is to get through the 60 minutes as calmly and smoothly as possible. There are 22 players and, above all, 22 individuals. I think that’s the beauty of it: you have to like people, lead them and communicate with them. As a referee, you are also a field hockey expert, you have to understand the sport of field hockey and you need specialist knowledge. You have to be decisive and have a strong character. Then there’s the sporting side: You are challenged, it’s not enough to do the Vitaparcours once a week. You can also challenge yourself. There is no game where you don’t make any mistakes, it’s a constant learning process.

What is your biggest dream as a referee? Is there a game or tournament that you would absolutely love to referee one day?
Of course, it’s every referee’s dream to referee the Olympic or World Cup final one day. I was able to gain further experience as an international referee last season. I want to prove myself there and develop into a permanent fixture without any pressure. I want to gain as much experience as possible at this level, perform well and then, if necessary, take the next step.

Do you feel sufficiently valued in the field hockey world – by players, coaches and the public?
I believe that referees have a difficult position in today’s society. There is a lack of appreciation, understanding and trust in referees. In general, it is very easy today to look for the referee to blame, whether as a coach, player or spectator.

Isn’t it ungrateful to be the center of attention, especially when mistakes are made?
Yes, it can be a thankless job. First and foremost, you don’t become a referee with the aim of being showered with praise. If you’re the talk of the town, it’s often or only because you’ve made a mistake. If you play a great match, it’s often taken for granted. You have to be aware of that. You need a thick skin. As a referee, you always have to demand respect, but you can’t expect gratitude from those involved. This may sound daunting at first, but it is a reality and part of the hard lot of referees.

In your opinion, what qualities characterize a really good referee?
Self-reflection, assertiveness, strong communication skills, good expression and reliability.

What advice would you give to young referees who are just starting out or are still unsure?
They should be very self-critical about what went well and what didn’t. You have to have the will to learn from every game, be it through objective feedback or self-awareness. It is important not to become arrogant, but also to block out or ignore certain things, which is not always easy.

What was the biggest mistake you made as a young referee – and what did you learn from it?
Communication on and off the pitch.
It’s like in professional life or in everyday life: you can’t communicate with everyone in the same way. I’m very communicative and talkative and have sometimes had to learn the hard way that this isn’t always beneficial. You don’t have to justify all your decisions and assess for yourself how much you should explain to whom on the pitch and in what depth. The players are completely different: there are players who stick to the referee for 60 minutes and try to manipulate him. But there are also players who are calm and prefer not to have anything to do with the referee. It is the referee’s job to pick up all the players in their own way.

What do you think is the biggest challenge for refereeing in Switzerland?
Firstly, there is a lack of structure at the top level, which means that new standards are set every weekend and rules are interpreted differently. In addition, there is a lack of young referees in the clubs who can be encouraged and brought up to the highest level through mentoring and observation. This also has to do with the lack of appreciation within the association and the clubs.

If you could change one thing about the way referees are treated in Switzerland tomorrow, what would be the quickest and most effective lever (“quick win”)?
We need to ensure that refereeing in Switzerland is given a higher priority by the association and the clubs and that the existing referees are looked after. This is the only way to build a broad foundation and train new top referees in the future.

How do you see the role of clubs and the association in the development and appreciation of referees?
As club managers or as an association, it is important to protect referees more, either by pointing out and reprimanding misconduct or by taking measures to determine what is okay and what should be avoided when dealing with referees.

Was there a decision or a moment on the field that gave you sleepless nights?
No, that hasn’t happened yet. I think it’s important to recognize through self-reflection what mistakes have happened, what is human and how these can be rectified in the future. But then move on and look ahead to the next challenge.

Have you ever thought about quitting – and what stopped you?
I’ve never thought about quitting, of course you ask yourself from time to time why you do this every weekend, but mostly the thought of giving something back to the players and the positive experiences you have outweighs that.

Which player or coach has positively surprised you – and why?
James Albery. We often didn’t see eye to eye during the game, and you also lost the game. After the final whistle, he came up to me, thanked me, praised the referee’s performance and apologized for his behaviour.
Emotions and differences of opinion are always part of the game. In the end, what counts is that you remain fair and are able to admit that the referees are not always at fault.

As a referee on the pitch, what would you like to see from the players? And from yourself?
We need to raise awareness again that the referees are there to help the players play a fair and good game of field hockey and not to be the center of attention. As referees, we also make mistakes and we know that.