The URC organised its second female-only webinar for umpires, bringing together women from across the table tennis community in a welcoming and supportive environment.
“The positive comments during the webinar, as well as the feedback received afterward, showed that female umpires truly value having a space for networking and sharing their stories and challenges. It was encouraging to see so many inspiring women come together and support one another,” said the organiser and moderator, on behalf of the URC, Jovana MILJKOVIĆ VLAŠKI.
The session featured inspiring contributions from four umpires – two highly experienced officials and two Gold Badge umpires – who shared their journeys across different levels of competition, from local events all the way to the Olympic Games. Over the course of two hours, a number of photos were also presented, sparking memories and reflections from their careers.
Ina JOSEPZONE, ETTU Vice President, highlighted the importance of the initiative:
“I was really glad to take part in the ETTU female-only webinar for umpires – it truly felt like an open ‘between us girls’ conversation. We discussed topics and challenges that are unique to women and often not spoken about in the presence of men. The presenters shared real-life situations and offered practical advice that can genuinely be useful in umpires’ work.”
Sonja GREFBERG, ETTU Vice President, also underlined the value of the session:
“I think the webinar was really nice and successful. It was especially appropriate and inspiring for younger umpires to hear about the experiences and thoughts of more experienced match officials.”
With more than 50 active participants, the feedback received was described as very encouraging. Many participants noted that the webinar was well organised and appreciated the opportunity to connect across generations, sharing both experiences and perspectives. One participant from North Macedonia particularly emphasised the importance of networking:
“I would like to thank the organizers for this webinar and for choosing such inspiring speakers. Each of them shared very interesting stories and presentations. However, the biggest impact on me came from Kerstin and Anja. Anja inspired me with her advice to always be ourselves, confident, and human. As for Kerstin, I met her in Bratislava in 2025 at the ETTU U21 Championship, where I already noticed her confidence, professionalism, and calmness. During this webinar, I was amazed by her inspiring journey – from a local umpire to a Gold Badge official. I would also like to thank the moderator for reminding us about the changes in HMO. I wish everyone many more competitions, more female umpires, and the opportunity to create new memories together.”
