Elaine Down has carved a name for herself as one of Britain’s best IJF referees, being one of only two British female “IJF A classes” in the very male dominated world of judo.

At the recent U21 European Championships she was selected to monitor the finals during what was her sixth international event of the year.

During her 36-year career as a referee, the former GB international has monitored countless international tournaments. In fact, she switched to refereeing at the age of 19, after retiring from competitive judo due to injury.

“Refereeing is the next big thing you can do after competing,” said Elaine.

“As a referee of course you are responsible for presiding over the game from a neutral point of view. However, because you are matside you can feel the energy, passion and determination of each and every player, as well as enjoy superb judo.”

Starting out as a referee during the late seventies, during the start of Thatcher’s reign, Elaine was one of the few female judo referees at the time.

She worked her way up the refereeing ladder while at the same time raising four children and later becoming a grandmother to three. She met her husband, also a referee through judo and he has been a strong support to her over the years.

However, she shared some of the challenges she has faced along the way in the judo world as a woman.

“Judo has always been and still is to some extent, a male dominated sport. Women can go out and succeed but they have to be twice as good as the men,” she said.

“Of course things are different today, we have strong female characters in the sport, including two Olympic medallists in Gemma Gibbons and Karina Bryant.

“However, in terms of referees, we still haven’t got enough female talent in Great Britain at the highest level.

“I feel that people need to be aware of the pathways into refereeing and there are no easy routes for females at the top level”.

At the recent Junior European Championships, only two of the 15 EJU referees were female.

“I have been at many events and have many times been the only woman referee,” she revealed.

She also explained that it is important to be the best at your game.

“To referee at these sorts of events is the pinnacle of the sport and you have to be on the ball.

“If you make just one error you can be pulled up and there is the possibility you will not be selected for the final block. It is very important to be thorough and accurate, there is no room for second chances.

“What is more, you are classified at every event and constantly tested for ability and awareness.”

However, Elaine has remained at the top of her game, having won an award in 2009 and being a referee at that year’s Senior European, Junior Open, European Veterans and Grand Prix events among others. She remembers that this was a very good year and it was also one in which she was also nominated and won the Referee of the Year.

When Elaine is not matside, she is designing and carrying out courses for referees and training the next generation. She is also on the National Refereeing Commission as the Secretary. Here she is instrumental in helping forge new pathways into refereeing, particularly for younger people.

“We have a wealth of young talent out there and though we have a bank of older elite referees, we need to develop this younger talent to ensure our future continue ,” she said.

“We have the structure to develop young referees from the age of ten. I am constantly amazed by our younger referees they are like sponges and do not hesitate to ask challenging questions .”

Alongside all these duties, Elaine continues to be an asset to British Judo and on many committees including being on the Northern Home Counties one as Area Referee Representative.

Words by Donna Richardson. Photo supplied by Elaine Down.