Teresa Gutiérrez Alemán, a student of Nursing at the University of Navarra, belongs to the Navarra School of Referees and has just been appointed member of the Navarra Basketball Referees committee . As she explains,"combining this hobby with programs of study is not an easy task, which forces me to organize myself better as a student, to make better use of my time".

This Navarre native, born in Pamplona but "half from Malaga, half from Leon by mother and father", has been officially refereeing basketball games for three years. "This is my third season at the Escuela Navarra de Árbitros (ENaB), although I have so many experiences and good memories that I feel as if I have been refereeing forever", Teresa points out.

For Gutiérrez, sports have always occupied a very important place in his life. He began practicing Judo for seven years, then horseback riding and later basketball on the high school team. "At that time I didn't think I could ever become a referee, I thought it was something only for professionals and adults. But a friend of mine told me that the ENaB was organizing some courses at training for young people, I thought it was a good idea and I signed up for an initiation course. And, to this day", he points out.

Why nursing
Teresa had always wanted to do something related to helping people, so it seemed to her that the nursing profession was a good fit."The thought of caring for sick patients or those who need special care complements me as a person," she admits.

Why the University of Navarra. "Because the professional training it offers is excellent, in addition to the international orientation and very important human values for the internship, both in medicine and nursing".

About his future, he is not yet clear. "I guess next year's practices will help me make up my mind and, without a doubt, I will continue refereeing. I also like languages and traveling; in this sense, as refereeing is internationally recognized, I would consider refereeing in other countries as well."