The National’s Sport cover for the Wednesday, March 18 issue, featuring Amith Passela’s profile on Joy Johnston, who keeps players in check in the Emirates Hockey League.
The Englishwoman, 31, boasts a 20-year career in ice hockey, 15 of them already in refereeing.
Amith reports, "she is an old hand at dealing with the tense confrontations that arise on the rink, having started her career officiating her male counterparts in her homeland at the age of 16.
“Johnston was appointed the Emirates Hockey League’s chief of games officials on a 12-month contract last year having come highly recommended by the International Ice Hockey Federation.”
She tells Amith of the experiencing calling games in the UAE: “I’ve had some very positive responses from everyone and my experience brings a lot to the UAE. So whether I’m a woman or not is not the question.”
“Joy has brought an element of professionalism to the league that was lacking in the referee department,” says Ron Murphy, the Canadian captain of the Dubai Mighty Camels.
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