Faces of the company — Kamila Smetková

A native of Hodonín, she first went through top-level hockey as a player. She played in Břeclav for one year, otherwise she played for Hodonín, where she played with the boys until the juniors. Later, she put on the striped referee jersey and gradually worked her way up to tournaments under the banner of the International Ice Hockey Federation. She has officiated at the Women's World Championships and the U18 Women's World Championships. In the Czech Republic, she officiates the Maxa liga and the third highest competition.

“On the ice, you have to be calm. Even when the stadium is boiling around you,” she says.

 

Kamila, what are you responsible for at Mobis?

I work in the BSA quality department in administration. We monitor processes, check documentation, and give things a system. From hockey, I brought discipline, respect for the rules, and the ability to make decisions under pressure. Hockey is a team sport, and I take it the same way here. In a team, we have to pull together.

You got into hockey as a player. Why did you decide to start officiating?

It was a bit of a backup plan. When I was finishing my playing career, I thought about what to do next. I was interested in how and based on what referees make their decisions. I wanted to try that role. In 2016, I obtained my license and started officiating my first matches.

I gradually went through the individual levels. I have been officiating the third highest competition for four years, and I am in my second year in the Maxa liga. At the same time, I have an international IIHF license, which opened the doors to world tournaments for me.

“The hardest part isn't blowing the whistle for a foul. The hardest part is standing your ground during the reaction after it.”

You also officiate men's competitions. How do the teams accept you?

I had to fight for respect. For some players, it was unusual at first that a woman was officiating adult men's hockey. Today, most of them know me. Some players remember me from youth matches. They got used to my style of officiating, and we have mutual respect. And that is key.

International experience

Under the IIHF banner, Kamila has officiated at Women's World Championships and U18 tournaments. International hockey is faster, tougher, and more watched by the media. Every decision is watched by coaches, players, the audience, as well as delegates and supervisors.

“On the international stage, every detail is evaluated. Movement, communication, accuracy. It is a huge school.”

 

Where are your next goals heading?

I would like to get to the Winter Olympic Games in 2030 in France. This year, I would like to officiate the Women's World Championship in Denmark and other top tournaments. But every year, current performance decides. You have to pass physical tests, limits, and evaluations from delegates and supervisors. I just narrowly missed out on this year's Olympics in Milan and Cortina; I remained as an alternate.

What do you bring from hockey into your work?

The ability to make a decision. On the ice, you don't have time to hesitate. You have to evaluate the situation within a second and stand by your decision. It's the same sometimes at work.

Kamila graduated from two universities. Her path led through Brno, Břeclav, and Karviná, where she closed her playing chapter and fully set out towards a refereeing career. Today, she alternates between two roles that have more in common than it might seem at first glance. Concentration, responsibility, consistency. And the ability to stand firm at the moment when the whole stadium is watching you.