Female Referees Rare in Wisconsin Sports

Only 10% of basketball officials in the state are women, but they're making their mark.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 5:03am

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Women's sports are growing in popularity, but female referees remain a rarity in Wisconsin. Out of nearly 5,000 basketball officials in the state, only 475 - or just 10% - are women. Three of these female referees, Amanda Gudis, Emma Didier, and Amanda Turner, recently officiated a WIAA girls basketball regional final game, highlighting the lack of gender diversity in sports officiating.

Why it matters

The lack of female sports officials is a reflection of broader gender imbalances in the industry. Having more women in these roles can provide important representation and role models for young female athletes, as well as bring diverse perspectives to the game.

The details

Amanda Gudis, Emma Didier, and Amanda Turner are part of the small percentage of female basketball officials in Wisconsin. They recently officiated a WIAA girls basketball regional final game together, showcasing their skills and passion for the sport. However, they remain outliers, as women make up just 10% of the state's 4,878 total basketball officials.

  • On February 28, the three female referees officiated the WIAA girls basketball Regional final game in Rice Lake.

The players

Amanda Gudis

One of the few female basketball referees in Wisconsin.

Emma Didier

One of the few female basketball referees in Wisconsin.

Amanda Turner

One of the few female basketball referees in Wisconsin.

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The takeaway

The lack of female sports officials in Wisconsin is a reflection of broader gender imbalances in the industry. Increasing representation of women in these roles can provide important role models for young female athletes and bring diverse perspectives to the game.