“Hello everyone!” As soon as she arrived at the interview venue, Gigi Law Bik-chi greeted everyone with a friendly smile and a voice as bright as a whistle. Her confident and energetic demeanour aptly matched the two identities she juggles – Hong Kong’s first female FIFA international referee and a full-time primary school teacher. Holding two positions at the same time inevitably doubles the stress. But as one needs to overcome hardships repeatedly to attain major achievements, Gigi chooses to deal with difficulties in life positively and optimistically. On the football pitch dominated by males, she proves her value with her abilities; in a classroom full of students, she leads by example while encouraging them to take on challenges bravely and embark on the life journey in a positive light.
Knowing oneself is true wisdom; winning oneself is true power
During her secondary school years, Gigi was already a strong athlete, active in cross country running, volleyball and other sports. Her goal-driven mind-set also applied to her academic study as she was among the few graduates who were accepted into Form Six by her school. That said, Gigi believed that she should seize the time and launch her career in sports where her strengths lay. She was interested in the Higher Diploma programme in Sports Management and Training Science at IVE instead of pursuing an A-level qualification because she considered the IVE programme a more efficient path to achieve her goals. Though her friends and family might not totally understand her or agree with her, she ended up choosing IVE. And in her own words, that was the best decision she has ever made in her life.
Gigi described her IVE classmates as like-minded elite athletes who share similar goals and interests. With strong rapport, they supported each other in pursuit of their dreams on the sports ground and they have remained close friends till this day. The programme broadened Gigi’s horizons, exposing her to the various facets of sports career. In addition to being a professional sportsperson or a sport coach, many join the professions of sports event planning as well as sports marketing. Her instructors also encouraged students to acquire different professional licences while still at school, such as coaching and referee licences. Such qualifications would make their resumes more appealing and give them more options and flexibility in terms of career development. The idea resonated with Gigi deeply and she was awarded a football referee licence, which turned out to be the most important stepping stone on her career path.
With perseverance, one can carve through gold and stone
In Hong Kong, to be qualified as a football referee, one has to complete the Football Association referee course and register with the Association. To Gigi, that was just the basic threshold – she kept on accumulating experiences while furthering her study to elevate her skills in rule enforcement. After passing a three-tier assessment, she climbed the hierarchal ladder and became a Class 1 referee, only then could she referee Hong Kong Premier League matches. She is also expected to receive ongoing training to maintain the highest level of shrewd judgement when enforcing rules; she needs to stay in peak physical conditions and pass the fitness tests twice a year to renew her licence. Those who fail the fitness test would be disqualified.
All through the years, Gigi had overcome countless hurdles on her way to be Hong Kong’s first female FIFA international referee, as well as the first female referee in Hong Kong Premier League matches. Shortlisted as an Asian Football Confederation Elite Referee, Gigi also had the opportunities to referee matches in large-scale international tournaments, including the semi-final of women’s football in the Jakarta Palembang 2018 Asian Games and EAFF E-1 Football Championship (Women). Each match lasts at least 90 minutes, and as a referee, Gigi has to run all over the pitch the whole time like footballers. At the same time, she has to be familiar with the rules and make accurate decisions. To communicate effectively with 22 players of different personalities, she needs to apply her interpersonal and management skills flexibly. Every single decision she makes may provoke heated arguments or even criticisms beyond the field, and the demanding training makes her exhausted, both physically and mentally. But that doesn’t dim her passion for football. When asked whether she would give up her career as a football referee, Gigi said firmly, “As long as I’m still fit enough to run, I will keep on doing so on the football pitch.”
Every trade needs to keep abreast of the times and adapt to the application of new technologies. Football is no exception. Video Assistant Referee (VAR) has gained popularity in recent years. As a proactive progress-seeker, Gigi was the first football referee acquiring a VAR licence in Hong Kong, qualified to referee matches where VAR is used. According to her, the use of VAR can help reduce critical errors and improve refereeing accuracy. Precedents also help clarify certain rules and principles so that all stakeholders and spectators may grasp the benefits of VAR. When asked whether technological advancements will replace a referee’s job, she replied that she was not worried at all. Instead, as long as they are used properly, she thinks technologies would become important tools that make a referee’s life a lot easier. Furthermore, enforcing the rules is not a referee’s sole task. More importantly, they also have to skilfully manage footballers’ emotions, especially when conflicts arise. “In this regard, no advanced technology can replace a human referee.”
Nurturing talent with inspiring teaching
After 10-plus years of impartial refereeing on the football pitch, Gigi realised she has worked enough on her football dream and she has fully enjoyed herself in the process. She figured it was time to kick off the second half of her career. She said, “I’ve always wanted to nurture the next generations.” With a view to diversify her career, Gigi procured a diploma in education early on while working full-time. At the beginning of the pandemic, she joined a primary school as a full-time teacher while still keeping her job as a football referee. Seeing innocent children at school every day, she became even more resolute in fulfilling her educational mission and providing guidance to her students.
Academic pressure is the main source of stress and unhappiness among Hong Kong students. She wants children to understand that everyone was born with something that they are good at. Even if studying is not your strongest suit, you can still turn your passion in a career. Meanwhile, she leads by example and wishes to influence students with her own experience and inspire them to face challenges with a strong will. Take her referee job as an example. Life is like within and beyond the football pitch. Everyone is entitled to have an opinion and you cannot please everyone in the world. As long as you do your job well, you should not be bothered by what others say. Nothing matters more than your happiness and wellbeing. The right attitude needs to be instilled during childhood, in order for one to develop resilience to withstand stress and adversities as an adult, while standing tall and holding one’s head up high.
Positive attitude towards success
As a seasoned referee, Gigi also serves as an instructor for the referee courses offered by the Football Association of Hong Kong, China. She strives to nurture the next generation of football referees and encourages women to jump on board. Gender should not be an obstacle to your dreams, she said. She also urged young people to stay positive, develop resilience, and trust their own judgment when facing any difficulty. You can find your own football pitch no matter where you are. Just charge ahead without holding back.
