Danica Barth is one of 14 officials who will take charge of the IFAF men’s European Championship Final Four games from October 25 to 28. Reigning champion Austria, five-time champion Finland, triple gold medal winner Italy and three-time champion Germany will compete for the continental title at the Grotenburg Stadion in Krefeld.

 She will be one of two female officials and will perform the role of Side Judge when the games are played in her native journey. IFAF asked Danica to explain her journey to this point in her career and her views on what will make the tournament successful for the fifth and equally important team taking part: the officials.

“Football came into my life in 1997, as a spectator of the Braunschweig Lions. I was so fascinated by the sport that I started playing myself. When the club asked me in 2001 if I would consider officiating, I accepted immediately. This gave me the opportunity to experience the game from a different perspective, and two years later, for health reasons, I also focused on officiating.

I have been working in the GFL, Germany's premier league, since 2010, and that same year I was invited to take part in the first IFAF Women's World Championship in Sweden. And so, things took their course, and in the following years I was able to officiate several national and international tournaments and championships. Now to be able to be part of the Final Four in my own country is a special honor, and one that I am very excited and thankful about.”

What are you looking forward to about officiating at the games?

“It's always something very special and a great honor for me to be assigned to officiate international matches. These games have a special atmosphere and place high demands on me – both professionally and personally. I'm particularly looking forward to working with my fellow officiating colleagues. I already know some of them from previous matches, and it's nice to see them again. I'm getting to know others for the first time, which is always exciting, because the exchange and working together as a team are a central part of such assignments for me.”

What does it mean to you to be officiating in your home country?

“It's simply wonderful to be active in your own country – it feels a bit like a home game. You know a lot of people, meet friends who are there as spectators or are involved in the organization. This creates a familiar atmosphere that feels really good. At the same time, it's also a bit more exciting because you know that many people are watching who know you personally. This, of course, gives you an extra incentive to be focused and fully motivated.”

What is the key to an officiating team being successful at a tournament.

“The key to success lies primarily in good preparation, a common understanding of the application of the rules and standards and an open, trusting working relationship. When you can rely on one another – both professionally and personally – a team spirit develops that endures even in challenging situations. At the same time, it's important to stay focused, recover well and bring full energy to every match. Especially at major tournaments, where attention is particularly high, dealing with pressure professionally is also important. When everyone does their job and stands up for the team, the team can not only perform confidently but also truly enjoy the game.”

The participating tackle teams will hold practices and film sessions - what is the equivalent for the officiating team in terms of how you spend your preparation time?

“We've already had several Zoom calls to prepare for the tournament, and we’ll also meet the day before the first game to ensure we’re well prepared for the tournament. We're discussing the rules and how to apply them so everyone's on the same page. We'll have film sessions and discuss key situations. Our coaches, Davie and Mats, are providing excellent support.”

How significant is it for the growth of officiating that you are one of two female officials in the officiating crew?

“I see myself not only as sporting responsibility, but also as an opportunity to set an example for diversity and equality. The presence of women in football, whether as referees, coaches or officials, shows that competence and passion know no gender boundaries. My work can encourage other women to also be interested in such roles. At the same time, it contributes to the further development of existing structures. It's not about being "the exception," but about creating a long-term norm. This position may bring a certain amount of attention, but I see that as a positive: the more visible we are, the more we can achieve – professionally, socially and athletically.”