Elite athletes competing at the very pinnacle of their sport require elite referees and umpires to ensure signals are clear, calls are correct and the rules are followed. This summer, two University of Edinburgh graduates, Hollie Davidson and Sarah Wilson will take charge of fixtures at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Hollie Davidson Economic History graduate Hollie Davidson, will officiate at the Rugby Sevens tournament and add to her reputation as a trail-blazer and role model in her sport. A former Scotland U20’s player Hollie starting her refereeing journey in 2015 going into become Scotland’s first female professional referee in 2017. Since then she became the first female to officiate at the Melrose Seven’s, has refereed in the Super 6 Tournament and in the Pro14, at the World Rugby Women’s Seven’s, the 2018 Commonwealth Games, World Rugby Seven’s and the Women’s Six Nations Championship. It’s been a goal of mine for the past four years to reach the Olympics, and I’m so excited and honour to be heading out to Tokyo. This Olympic Games is going to be so unique, and I can’t wait to play my part. Sarah Wilson Sarah Wilson, 2012 BEd Physical Education Graduate, is one of the world’s foremost hockey umpires. After taking up umpiring at the age of nineteen, after a back injury ended her playing career, she earned a place on the coveted European Hockey Umpire Development Programme. From there, she has honed and developed her skills to an exceptional standard. Sarah has umpired at two Commonwealth Games, in Glasgow 2014 where she took charge of both the semi-final and the bronze medal matches, and at Gold Coast 2018 where she umpired both the Semi-Final and the Final. Tokyo 2020 will be Sarah’s second Olympic Games after she umpired at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. Sarah was inducted into the University of Edinburgh Sports Hall of Fame in 2020, recognising her position as one of Scotland’s most decorated, successful and inspiring sporting officials, exemplifying the hugely important role they play in delivering sport at every level. Read more about Sarah’s achievements This article was published on 2024-05-13
