IT lecturer becomes first female boxing referee in Wales

Sarah Macshane                                                        WVoN co-editor

An IT lecturer has become the first female boxing referee in Wales.

Mandy Brown – an inspiration to many female boxers and aspiring referees – she is the first woman to climb through the ropes and get up close with the competitors.

The Welsh Amateur Boxing Association confirmed earlier this month that she is its first qualified woman to referee in the ring.

Ms Brown has always loved boxing and became more involved when her husband opened a boxing club for young people where she lives in Llandudno, Conwy.

She accompanied her husband to matches as he trained to be a judge but she was not allowed at the ringside. She decided to change that situation by becoming a Grade One National Referee. She is also the first Welsh woman referee to oversee a GB international bout.

She is now taking her AIBA Amateur International Boxing Association qualification to allow her to referee at international matches.

Ms Brown says eh wants to help other women achieve similar goals and is currently helping one of Wales’ first female boxers Helen Jones to become a referee and judge.

She says she sometimes can’t believe how well she’s done: ‘Sometimes I have to pinch myself when I realise how far I have come”.

She believes anyone is capable of becoming a referee; you just have to be passionate about the sport and give up a few Friday nights!