Referee of the Month: Denize Shafagh
The CDSRA Referee of the Month features referees of different ages, levels, and backgrounds to reflect the diversity in our referee community and our association. Our December 2025 Referee of the Month is Denize Shafagh.
Questions & Answers:
Q: Current Referee Level & Highest level attained:
A: I am currently a youth referee, however I will be upgraded to district in the new year.
Q: When did you begin, and what motivated you to start refereeing?
A: I started refereeing almost exactly two years ago, right after my 14th birthday. My dad began officiating about a year before me and always came home raving about his games and sessions. Naturally, I wanted to follow in his footsteps. I’ve always looked up to my dad, and refereeing felt like a great way to connect with him while doing something meaningful.
Q: What has been your most enjoyable game/memory of your referee career?
A: My most enjoyable memory was my very first APDL game. I was only the AR2, but I was incredibly nervous, I felt like I was about to ref the world cup final. Confidence was something I struggled with at the time, but the two amazing officials I worked with that day supported me so much. The game was exhausting and challenging, and there were moments where I wanted to give up. However, once the game ended, I realized how much I truly enjoyed it and how much I wanted to improve. That match motivated me to work harder, particularly my fitness.
Q: What do you love most about refereeing?
A: What I love most about refereeing is the people and the community. Everyone is welcoming and supportive, and there’s always someone willing to help or give advice. Even in an occasion thats outside of officiating, people are there as support, and they really care about you.
Denize with Kathryn Nesbitt at ARC.
Q: What advice would you give to somebody just starting out refereeing?
A: As a referee, your job is to control and manage the game according to the Laws, not to make everyone happy. Players, coaches, and parents will not always agree with your decisions, and that’s okay. What matters most is just doing the best you can. I have found that focusing on the quality of your work leads the players and coaches easing up eventually.
Q: What do you do outside of refereeing and what are some of your interests?
A: I love any form of exercise, especially soccer. I enjoy going to the gym, long bike rides, and notably hiking. I also love baking and spending time with my friends, cause they mean everything to me. I’m in grade 11, and I’m trying to pursue architecture cause I’ve been into it since I was a kid.