Member of the Month: Brianna Strem
The CDSRA Member of the Month features referees of different ages, levels, and backgrounds to reflect the diversity in our referee community and our association. Our December 2023 Member of the Month is Brianna Strem.
Questions & Answers:
Q: Current Referee Level & Highest level attained:
A: I am currently a district level referee.
Q: When did you begin, and what motivated you to start refereeing?
A: When I was 13, one of my coaches took my team to a mini-referee course to help us try to secure a job at a young age, and I really stuck with it. Being so young and having an opportunity to make good money was a very appealing idea to me. I knew the sport well—I've been playing all my life—and I knew how to tune out parents, so when I started, it was easy enough to keep with it.
Q: What has been your most enjoyable game/memory of your referee career?
A: The challenge of high-level games truly excites me, and the invaluable experience gained while officiating them is particularly rewarding. This is especially true as an assistant referee, as it provides me with a greater opportunity to grasp the game as a whole and truly appreciate the exceptional plays unfolding—there are some truly amazing players out there.
Q: What do you love most about refereeing?
A: As much as I enjoy officiating high-intensity games, there's something truly special about watching young players begin to discover their skills without the pressures that come with age and experience. It's especially heartening when you can see these kids playing just for the fun of it, without any attempts to manipulate the outcome with dives.
Q: When did you first become a CDSRA member and what encouraged you to join?
A: I recently started attending IRT sessions, and I found both the information and the atmosphere there to be really beneficial. The positive experience compelled me to continue attending, and the encouragement from fellow referees solidified my decision to commit to a membership.
Q: What advice would you give to somebody just starting out refereeing?
A: Go out there with confidence! I know that some referees find this difficult, but some players will see unsure calls as an invitation to contest them. It is incredible how many more people will agree with your call if you give it with confidence and authority.
Q: What do you do outside of refereeing and what are some of your interests?
A: I’m currently in my last year of high school, so I like to take full advantage of what teams and clubs the school has to offer. I also play soccer and rugby, which means that I’m in sports year round, but I really enjoy the busy schedule. In my spare time, I like to go camping and dirt biking in the beautiful foothills around us, as well as reading, traveling, and watching live sporting events. I am also preparing to go into my first year of university for a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience.