Sapir Berman made global headlines in 2021 when she refereed an Israeli Premier League match, becoming Israel’s first ever trans soccer referee, as well as the first trans referee to officiate at a top-level match anywhere in the world.
“Outside, I played a role. At home, I was the real me. A football fan and a woman.”
Before 2021, Sapir seemed just like any other sports-mad young Israeli. Her passion for soccer led her to join the Israel Football Referees Association at the age of just 17, where she started out officiating in the second division National League, before moving up to referee in the Premier League.
But, despite thriving in this high-pressure role that demands absolute confidence and strength of character, Sapir felt like she constantly had to hide who she really was.
“There were all sorts of things I was scared of, but I decided I had to embrace my dreams as myself – the real Sapir.”
Her historic decision to transition in the public eye, and especially in a macho, male-dominated sports world, changed the game forever. Suddenly Sapir’s story was everywhere and she was fielding interest from Netflix, MGM, and more. It was a turning point, not just for Sapir herself, but for countless other people struggling with big decisions.
As a speaker, Sapir shares her fascinating story while addressing universal challenges relevant to every audience:
Being yourself while facing the pressure to fit in
Identifying and leveraging your personal strengths
Persevering in the face of challenges and setbacks
Creating your own leadership style
Succeeding as a woman in a male-dominated field
Sapir’s insights are thought-provoking, moving, and often very funny too, as she discusses her experiences on and off the field, including the reactions of fans and players (who usually care more about her decisions than her gender!).
booking:
https://linktr.ee/sapirberman