Whether you got into it because you were passionate about the game or because your kid’s team needed help, officiating is not a role that comes without hurdles.  As we all know, officiating can be a challenging and often unappreciated role.  Aside from knowing all the rules for the game and keeping an eye on everyone while ensuring the game is fair, fun & safe for participants, you have to deal with passionate parents in the stands and coaches on the sidelines.

When there are no officials, there are no games.  A lack of officials cancels games across the board no matter what sport you are engaging in.  So, what can sport organizations do when a lack of officials is affecting their season?

Here is how one organization turned the lack of officials into an opportunity.

When there were no officials available to come out to their games, one local hockey league thought outside the penalty box.

First, all teams in the league were required to put forward one person to be an official. After each team had put forward their individual, the club ran reffing clinics and trained all the officials.

Anyone who put their name forward, got the training and officiated in 5 games, got half of their child’s registration fees returned.  If they officiate 10 games, the full fees are refunded.

Youth who put their names forward paid for their officiating courses but were refunded 50% of the cost after officiating 5 games and 100% for 10 games.

Additionally, all officials are offered refreshments and get one entry per game officiated into a monthly draw for a prize.

Why does this seem like a great solution to the problem?  The answer to that is multi-faceted with benefits to individuals, the team, the league and the hockey community in general.

Having people from within the league take on the role and responsibility of officiating creates officials that are ‘part of the family’ and creates a sense of cohesiveness.  They are known to those around them and the league isn’t bringing in ‘outsiders’ to fill the role.

For club and league leaders, finding officials can be challenging.  The pool is small and the need is large.  Officials can be selective in which games and teams they are willing to ref for. If a team get a reputation for being difficult to deal with from an official’s viewpoint it could mean that they get no officials for the season.  Having ‘in-house’ officials would cut the stress on ensuring the availability of officials immensely.

Let’s face it, sport in general is costly and hockey is very expensive.  This plan gives parents the opportunity to save on the cost of their child’s season, perhaps making hockey an option for someone who was going to miss out otherwise.

This program also gives youth the option to learn and become certified in a new skill that can last them a lifetime.  It is a chance for them to take on some responsibility and it lets them see the game from the ‘other’ viewpoint.  It can broaden their perspective when they play or watch in the future and increases their understanding of the official’s role and what is required.

It’s a win for the hockey community as well because this puts more officials into the community and will reduce the overall strain that a lack of officials causes.

Know an official that deserves recognition?  We are launching a new page, Official Spotlight, in January 2025 to celebrate the region’s officials.  Submit your officials here to have them featured.

Don’t forget, Official of the Year and Junior Official of the Year are categories for the Northwest Alberta Sport Excellence Awards.  Nominations are open annually from January 1-31 and cover a body of work.  Check out the SEA page for details.