An inspirational Perth referee was honoured - and shocked - to be recognised at the Scottish Women in Sport Awards.
Isla Buchanan (22) admits she has had to pinch herself after being presented with the Champion Official award on Friday, November 18 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow.
The award recognises the efforts of an individual who, through their involvement in sport, enables athletes and players to participate. This award was directed to officials, referees and umpires.
Isla, a former Perth High student, first started refereeing at the age of 16 and wasted little time in moving up the ranks.
“It was a total shock,” she smiled of the award win. “When they said my name, it didn’t quite register to start off with.
“I was overwhelmed and obviously it was a great honour to have won the award. A couple of times I have pinched myself to make sure it is real. I’m just delighted to have won it.”
Isla admitted she entered the world of refereeing with no real expectations but it has become a real passion.
“My grandad first got me into it when I turned 16,” she explained to the PA.
“At the time it was a good way to make money because I didn’t want the standard Saturday job.
“I wanted to be involved in football and, if it wasn’t for my grandad, there is not a chance I’d be a referee. Never did I think, six years later, I would still be going and wanting to pursue it further.”
The beautiful game has changed Isla’s life and, alongside her refereeing, she shares her experience of mental health in the hope that it helps and inspires other young adults and students.
Isla said: “It is still the way I escape from everyday life and I look forward to the weekends when I get the opportunity to referee.
“I’ve been extremely lucky to be able to promote mental health through refereeing and football. When I was 12, when my mum had a stroke, I became a young carer and helped take care of my brothers and sisters.
“I didn’t have your typical childhood growing up and that was tough at times.
“Anxiety and depression came on. I was diagnosed at 13, was feeling horrible most of the time and so low.
“Football was really the only thing where I felt I could be myself. It still is my escape from everyday life.”
Isla, now studying to become a mental health nurse, has no plans to hang up the whistle anytime soon.
“I don’t ever see myself stopping refereeing,” she said.
And with a laugh she added: “Well, maybe until my body decides we can’t do this anymore!
“Study is a priority at the moment but, once I graduate and get a job, I want to put attention on refereeing too.
“With the way women’s football is going, female referees have endless opportunities.
“I want to push myself and take refereeing as far as I can. I’ll dive in head first.”
Elsewhere at Scottish Women in Sport Awards, Team of the Year went to curlers Team Muirhead for their incredible gold-medal winning performance at the Winter Olympics.
