World Judo Tour referee Lisa Rivers appeared at a public evidence session of the UK Parliament's Women and Equalities Committee on 17 June. Rather than a competition or medal story, this was an opportunity for a judo referee to bring the sport's experience into a wider discussion about women's routes into officiating, coaching, sport science, administration, governance and media.
The panel also included senior officials from football and tennis. Rivers attended as a World Judo Tour referee for the International Judo Federation and discussed the barriers women may face when entering professional sporting environments.
From starting judo at ten to international refereeing
Rivers began judo and refereeing at the age of ten. She competed at national level before choosing refereeing as her long-term pathway. Before giving evidence, she gathered views from female colleagues in the UK and other female World Judo Tour referees so that the discussion would include experiences beyond her own.
Sport is not built only by athletes. Referees, coaches, technical officials, administrators and event organisers all shape its future. A judo contest may feature two athletes on the mat, but it relies on a much wider system of rules, education and event management.
Making professional pathways visible
Rivers told the committee that female coaches and women working at the highest levels help girls see wider possibilities. When young judoka can see women on the mat, at the referee table and in decision-making roles, they are more likely to imagine themselves following the same path.
Judo is a smaller sport in Britain than football or tennis. Having a judo referee contribute alongside officials from those sports therefore placed judo's refereeing and development experience within a broader national conversation.
Source: International Judo Federation · UK Parliament evidence transcript