2020 in focus: Referee Ashleigh Kaesler

Water Polo Australia’s ongoing 2020 in focus series is all about getting to know the people at the heart of our great sport - the coaches, players, referees and volunteers who form part of the Australian water polo community.

With International Women's Day coming up this Sunday, it seemed only fitting to catch up with referee Ashleigh Kaesler.

Ashleigh Kaesler began refereeing in the OVO Australian Waterpolo League (AWL) at just 16 years old and hasn’t looked back since.

The now 24-year-old is one of 15 referees of this year's OVO AWL and among the top female referees in the country.

Hailing from NSW, Kaesler was a basketball referee, but found herself converted to water polo when with a bit of help from her mum.

“My mum used to play for Cronulla Water Polo Club and I used to watch, but one day they needed a referee and mum said I could do it,” Kaesler said.

“Since then, I’ve found myself with a whistle almost every weekend of the water polo season,” she said.

Kaesler said she was fortunate to have some amazing mentors as she made her way through the referee pathway.

“When I was a junior, having Nicola (Johnson) and Fiona (Haigh) there was definitely encouraging because I knew that was something I could achieve,” Kaesler said.

“I think it’s important to have female representation at the top level, but I hope it’s not just female referees that we inspire,” she said.

“We’re in a time now that I think it’s important to have that message that if you’re a young referee that’s just getting started it doesn’t matter if you’re female or not - we’re all achieving the same things.”

After refereeing water polo for more than a decade, Kaesler said she still loves the game just as much as what she did when she started.

“You’ve got to love what you do, I’m lucky that I still, and I hope that everyone coming through the referee pathway in Australia feels the same way,” Kaesler said.

Kaesler said that if she had one piece of advice, it would be to not take anything personally.

“The players, coaches and everyone is there to get the best outcome for themselves and their team,” Kaesler said.

“So just remember to have a thick skin, brush it off and approach every game with a fresh mentality.”