Much more important than the award itself is my long-term performance and how I feel about myself on the field, says Radka Synková

The differences between officiating men and women are not so black-and-white in my view

Radka, last year you received an award from the ISBHF – 2025 ISBHF Female Referee of the Year. How do you view this award and what does it personally mean to you?

I found out about the award in quite an unusual way – I was putting my child to sleep when I received a message from my partner congratulating me and saying he was proud of me. I had no idea what he was talking about. Only when more congratulations started coming in and I checked social media did I realize I had been given the Referee of the Year award. Of course, I was happy – every award is pleasing. At the same time, though, I approached it with a certain level-headedness. In previous years, I had officiated at world championships and final games, so I knew that in terms of nominations and experience, it could happen sooner or later. I don’t see it as a turning point in my career, but rather as a formal confirmation of the work I have been doing for some time. Much more important to me than the award itself is my long-term performance and how I feel about myself on the field.

At club level, you mostly officiate in the men’s category, while internationally you are in charge of women’s matches. Could you tell us what you see as the biggest differences between officiating men’s and women’s ball hockey?

In my view, the differences between officiating men and women are not so black-and-white. It largely depends on the specific game and the personalities on the field. Above all, it comes down to the approach of the players. I more often sense that some male players would prefer not to be officiated by a woman, while female players tend to appreciate it when I am refereeing rather than a male colleague. In the past, I preferred officiating men’s competitions, but I no longer see it that way. Women’s ball hockey has progressed significantly. Of course, men’s games are generally faster and more physical, but with women I often perceive a different dynamic – not so much in the play itself, but rather in communication. They can be very emotional and sometimes quite sharp in verbal exchanges, especially among themselves.

You have been officiating men’s competitions since 2011, and in 2018 you became the first woman to officiate a men’s Extraliga match. Do you still remember that game? What was going through your mind at the time?

It was the Prague derby between HC Kert Park Praha and TJ KOVO Praha. The game ended 5–2 for Kert, and I was extremely nervous. I officiated alongside my colleague Michal Záhora and, honestly, he more or less “took charge” of a large part of the game. I remember one specific situation where I could have “shined.” A Kert player, Tomáš Wróbel, kicked his opponent’s stick away, which I should have penalized. But at that moment I literally froze and allowed the play to continue. Perhaps not many people noticed, apart from the stick’s owner, but I did – and it stuck in my mind. I was under great pressure from myself at the time. It wasn’t just about the game; it was also about knowing that I would be more visible. Today, I would handle that situation differently. But these are experiences that help you grow.

If you were to compare the level of Czech ball hockey with the international scene under the ISBHF, in which aspects do you think Czech ball hockey excels the most, and where does it lag behind?

Many people may not agree with me, but I believe Czech ball hockey is at more than a good level compared to other countries, as evidenced by results on the international stage and the related work with youth development. Czech ball hockey has a strong advantage – the long-term quality of competitions and, above all, organization. I believe that as Czechs, we are among the best-prepared organizers of international tournaments in terms of facilities, structure, and the work of referees. Even after thinking hard about where Czech ball hockey should improve in comparison with the ISBHF, I kept returning to the fact that we are among those who set the direction.

Radka Synková (on the left) at the 2022 World Championship in Laval. Photo source: ISBHF.

I am preparing for the possibility of being nominated

Is there any rule that you consider to be consistently problematic in terms of interpretation and that causes discussion among players and coaches?

In my opinion, there isn’t one specific problematic rule; rather, it’s about overall mutual understanding among all participants on the field and on the bench. Honestly, I would prefer not to elaborate further on this thought.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you truly did not know how to assess it?

Ball hockey is a fast game, and not only that – sometimes moments arise when I am unsure. That is precisely why there are two of us on the field. Cooperation and communication are key. When one referee does not have the ideal angle or needs to confirm a decision, it is completely natural to consult. I do not see that as a weakness, but as professionalism. I cannot recall a specific situation today where I truly did not know what to do. One tries to prevent such moments through proper positioning, concentration, and experience – especially on the international stage, where the pressure is higher. The ability to quickly evaluate a situation and, if necessary, communicate with a colleague is simply part of a referee’s job.

How do you work on yourself as a referee in the long term, and what specific educational programs, seminars, or testing must you complete during the season to meet top-level requirements?

I try to work on myself throughout the year, although there are periods when it is more difficult and others when there is more time and energy to focus intensively on preparation. Physically, I go running and train my fitness – at the moment, often together with my one-year-old son. Before the summer seminar, where we must pass physical tests, I prepare in a targeted way. The new format includes a 1500-meter run, an interval test, a standing long jump, and a 60-meter sprint. In addition to physical preparation, we also regularly undergo theoretical education – we take rules tests, scorekeeper tests, and regulations tests. In winter, there is a theoretical re-examination covering all the tests we completed during the year. And of course, an integral part of preparation is officiating matches during the season itself.

This year, the Men’s and Women’s World Championship will take place in Ostrava. Are you preparing for the possibility of being nominated for this tournament? And are you directing your preparation toward that goal?

Yes, I am preparing for the possibility of being nominated. It would be my fourth World Championship, and if I also count Zug (Switzerland 2015), then my fifth. This is therefore a period when I am focusing more intensively on preparation, because a World Championship is physically demanding – during the tournament we usually officiate two games a day, so you need fitness, resilience, and readiness for long days. I am also trying to dedicate time to language preparation, as English is an integral part of international events. At the same time, I cannot overlook the fact that I am the mother of a one-year-old child, and the World Championship is not just a matter of one weekend. Even though it will take place in the Czech Republic, arranging childcare will probably be the biggest challenge of all…

Radka Synková (on the right) at the most recent Women’s World Championship in Switzerland in 2024. Photo source: Radka Synková’s personal archive.