Abstract
This storytelling reflection article presents the psychological preparation of elite Rugby Union referees in the buildup to competition through a creative nonfiction story. Based on data from 15 individual referee interviews, we present referee experiences of psychological preparation through a co-created, creative nonfiction story titled Impossible Perfection. The primary aim of this article is to contribute to understanding about the lived experiences of refereeing at the elite level and in particular the role of psychological preparation in elite referee performance, by showcasing Impossible Perfection in full. Second, we present research team reflections on the key themes woven throughout Impossible Perfection and elaborate on what these themes may communicate about the experiences of elite referees. Finally, we comment on the utility of creative nonfiction as a method and reflect on its efficacy for investigating elite referees.
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