Anna Hammar on choosing to become a judge – and to be a woman in a male-dominated industry
She became the first Swedish woman to rule men at an elite level in ice hockey.
Despite the male-dominated environment – sometimes described as toxic – 27-year-old Anna Hammar has never had problems.
Instead, it feeds on stereotypical “childishness”.
– I think you should have a little skin on your nose, she says.
In the center of Vasastan in Stockholm is a huge yellow-brown statue that does not fit the city scene at all. From the outside it looks intimidating – but inside you’ll find an attractive lobby that exudes a ‘harmonious working environment’. Some kind of soothing background music is playing from the speakers.
It’s not the spa waiting room – it’s the reception room at Anna Hammer’s workplace. The 27-year-old recently made history as the first female referee in men’s elite hockey when she debuted at Hockey Allsvenskan.
We settle in a conference room in case we are bothered.
You go at once, I hardly have time to think, says Anna Hammer.
Besides her work as a judge, she works full time as a management consultant. A working month is about 200 hours.
I don’t consider judgment a job, it’s my hobby. But she says with a laugh it’s like a part-time job, so I’m not looking for any other leisure activities.
After six years on the hockey team and eleven in the SDHL, Hammar on September 28 had to step up to allsvenskan hockey, where she was a trainee during the season. The match between Västervik and Södertälje was her first.
– It was like a dream. Everyone was very nice, the players and coaches said ‘Welcome to the league and that’s something you’ve never experienced before in hockey’. That people be happy with one’s success as a judge. But I didn’t have time to really enjoy myself because I had so much to think about, says Hammer.
What does it mean to you that you became the first woman?
– He is, of course, very honorable, and he will always live with me. Seems like the best thing I’ve done in hockey so far. Being first will always be in the history books.
“You’re a bit too rowdy in the paragraph”
Anna Hammer was born and raised in Köping with her three siblings Eric and Joel. Growing up, they constantly competed and played most sports. She describes herself as a “killer girl” growing up. She would hang out with the boys and would rather play basketball in recess than hang out with the girls in class.
– I loved hanging out with the boys, I loved competing and playing sports. I went out with my brothers, so it was a boyish hangout. It could be building huts or whatever. She says what intrigued me was the boys.
She also started her career as a judge with her siblings. Father Johann enrolled them in a judging course already at the age of 11.
At first she didn’t think it was fun at all. Equipment was loose, and I felt messy and naked on the ice. But because the brothers liked it, Anna also continued – she could not hold back.
The trio were watched and judged together. Joel ruled as high as Allsvensk level hockey before investing with Eric in civilian jobs. Anna was impressed by the judging profession – today she is the only one of the still active siblings.
The desire for justice persists in the family.
Is it important to you that the truth is true?
– You’re a bit of a paragraph rider. My brothers really believe that what is right must be right. For me, the attraction is that there is a gray area as a judge and it is ultimately an invitation to judge.
She is one of two rulers at the elite level
As a men’s judge on a professional level, Anna Hamar, along with Veronica Johansson, are the only women in their union. It also took until 2022 before women were allowed to debut at the men’s elite (Hockeyallsvenskan) level. For Anna, the delay is not about a sex issue.
Because there are not enough players. From there the referees are brought in, and there are very few referees who become referees without ever playing the sport. You have to better market the profession and show our presence. You have to prove that you can get an international job. Now players are starting to understand when they see us SDHL referees in all the leagues they play, she says.
However, she understands that from the outside it may seem that a woman has never had the opportunity before.
Being a woman seemed to be an obstacle, but rather getting up the eye of the needle and getting the right quality and experience. I thought to myself the idea that you can’t be there as a woman, but it’s more about the judge you have to deal with. I haven’t experienced anything geared towards my gender, I’ve been given the opportunities I deserve.
“You must have some skin on your nose”
In recent years, ice hockey has been rocked by sexual assault scandals and testimonies. The environment and culture within the sport have been heavily criticized. Being a woman in a male-dominated industry with this problem can be interpreted from the outside as a weak position. However, Anna herself did not have any problems.
Referees are as strong as people and I think we did better than hockey. She says and continues: We have our own subculture:
– Sometimes the culture was a bit rotten, you can’t say anything about it. But I think everyone will experience that if they got on an ice rink, it would be a bit childish. I’m not the one to be afraid of and it gets better every year that goes by. I like to compete with guys and joke their way, so it was always a good level from what I saw.
Do you think everyone will experience it this way – or are you tough?
– I think you have to have some skin on your nose to be a judge. But I don’t think it’s about my gender, but you generally have to have skin on your nose to deal with the climate. It has to do with the fact that judges in general are a weak role and you have to see the gravity in that.
Do you have to be tough to be a judge?
– number. I have many colleagues at the other end of the spectrum. If you are tough and firm, they are softer, but do that too. You can be who you are and I don’t think there is any advantage to anything. It doesn’t take a certain type of person to become a judge.
In addition to her historical debut in the Allsvenskan hockey game, Anna Hammar has an impressive track record. Last year’s season was a successful one for the 27-year-old who made her debut at the Women’s World Cup where she also took home the final. This was followed by an Olympic debut. There, too, she distinguished herself and had to judge the final.
Now the goal is clear – the Olympic Games in Milan in 2026. But first, Anna aims to get a regular place in Allsvenskan hockey.
After all, no women have appeared in SHL yet.
– I wish it was me. She says it depends a little on how we grow as a group of female rulers, and there could be someone making a career culprit.
