Ida grew up in a farming family on Fårö. After high school, it was eight years of university studies and work on the mainland. First, education to become a civil economist at Örebro University and then work in business economics and administration at RF-Sisu in Örebro. After that, it was time for the position as a case officer for investment support at the County Administrative Board of Östergötland in Linköping.
Back to the island
But in March 2024, the move went back home to Gotland and Västerhejde with a partner and a two-month-old son.
After a period of parental leave, she continued her work at the County Administrative Board of Östergötland remotely.
– I enjoyed this job, which I had for three years, but I preferred to work with case management that is close to the local community and the people who drive projects. I get to do that at Leader Gute. Here, the case management is about local rural support, and I get to meet organizations and people all over the island, says Ida.
Family, animals, nature, and sports
Besides family, animals, and nature, Ida's major interests are football and running. Something that has followed her since childhood and youth.
– I played football for Fårösund GoIK and Stenkyrka IF. In athletics, I competed for Roma IF, and my events were primarily 5,000 and 10,000 meters running. There were many races and some victories around the island. I also represented Gotland in the Island Games in Jersey in 2015, says Ida.
Football referee at elite level
During her studies in Örebro, Ida's career as a football referee took off.
– It had become increasingly difficult to form football teams on Gotland before I moved, so even then, I started being a referee to have a place in the ”football family.” On the mainland, I had greater opportunities to develop as a referee. In 2018, I trained to become an assistant referee in the women's top league and have been that since 2019.
In 2022, Ida became an assistant FIFA referee, thus making her entry into international football. In 2023, she took the next step and was classified as an assistant referee in Superettan for men – as the third woman in history.
Ida has many exciting and fun experiences as a referee.
– My first international match was special. Mainly because experienced Sara Person – a great role model for me – was the main referee. Another nice memory is a match between Germany and France in the fall of 2022 – a rematch of the Euro semifinal a few months earlier.
Enjoying life on the island
Ida enjoys now having both family life and workplace on Gotland.
– I grew up here and have many relatives and friends on the island. My partner has a job that he really likes, and our soon-to-be two-year-old son has settled in well – plus he can drive a tractor with his grandfather and grandmother on the family farm on Fårö.
– And that I now have a workplace on the island, where I can engage in local rural development, makes life as a whole feel very good!