Q&A with former FIFA referee Michelle Pye
NORTH VANCOUVER, British Columbia — A Q&A with Michelle Pye, 43, a former FIFA Referee and current FIFA Instructor and FIFA RefCo Member.
What are your personal goals as a referee?
Michelle Pye: I was a FIFA soccer referee from 2007–2017. My goal was to attend a Women’s World Cup, which I did in 2015. I was also fortunate to attend two U17 World Cups and one U20 World Cup.
What is the biggest challenge in your reffing career, and what do you do to manage this challenge?
Pye: Trying to balance work, family and refereeing was always a struggle for me. The physical demands of a FIFA referee mean that you must train six to seven days a week. In addition, refereeing in Canada is not a full-time job, so working full time as a teacher, raising three kids, a husband who is also a National Level referee, and family who lived 4 hours away meant a lot of juggling schedules to accommodate all the responsibilities. This was the biggest struggle for me!
I managed this by committing to myself and my dreams so that when things got tough, I didn’t give up on them because they were important to me. I made myself a priority…even if it meant training at 9pm or flying through the night to get to matches after working that day.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Pye: Control the Controllables – you can’t spend time worrying about things you have no control over. It is better to use that time and energy on things you have the power to control – your fitness, your attitude, your work ethic, etc.
Do you have a saying or motto that you like to live by?
Pye: You may see me struggle, but you will never see me quit. I am not impressed by how much money you make, your title or your position, I’m impressed by how you treat people.
What do you love about your sport/being a referee?
Pye: Every game, every situation, every player is different. Refereeing is a constant challenge for perfection that you can never achieve. Just when you think you’ve made it…you have a tough game that reminds you that nobody is perfect! It’s very humbling!!
Where did you go to school and did you play in university?
Pye: I grew up in Kamloops, BC and went to NorKam Secondary, where I played Youth and High School soccer. Once I completed my Bachelor of Science Degree at TRU, I went to UBC to do my education degree. I did not play soccer in University.
What do you like to do outside of your sport?
Pye: Refereeing has given me a lifelong appreciation of health and fitness, so I spend time working out for my mental health each day! In addition, I have three kids (10-year-old daughter, eight-year-old twin boys) who play multiple sports, so in addition to driving them to all their activities, I also coach their soccer teams!
How would you describe your personality?
Pye: I would describe my personality as very competitive, more with myself than others. I am very determined to succeed in any endeavour I take on, and I do not like to fail! I am very outgoing and always want the people around me to feel included and appreciated.
What is your favourite meal?
Pye: That’s a tough one, I enjoy tacos, spaghetti, and the occasional fast-food meal!
What is your favourite song or music genre to get you ready for a game?
Pye: 90’s Hip Hop….hands down! I love to sing and dance in the dressing room, so it needs to have a good beat!
Do you have a pregame ritual you follow?
Pye: As much as possible, depending on kick-off time….I like to take a nap! Always music in the dressing room, and at the end of the game….a cold Coke! I crave the sugar.
What has being a member of a team taught you?
Pye: As a referee at an Elite level, you are always working with 2-3 other officials on each match. Through refereeing, I have learned how to be a good leader, a great communicator, and emphatic to what others are going through and how that can affect their performance. If everyone feels valued and appreciated for the job they do, then the team will always be successful!
Anything else you’d like to share?
Pye: Refereeing has been an amazing conduit to many life skills that I have learned over the years. I feel blessed that I had the opportunity to represent my country at the highest levels of the sport and now get to give back to all the future referees who come behind me. I truly am blessed!
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