Author Topic: Ref Shortage in Mass Youth Hockey, 900 Walk Away  (Read 4046 times)

Description:
Ref Shortage in Mass Youth Hockey, 900 Walk Away
Topic: November 05, 2021, 08:41:14 AM


Massachusetts youth hockey is staring down a referee shortage, the officials’ association said Tuesday. They’ve lost 900 referees — down about half from the regular 1,700 to 1,800-person roster.

MASSACHUSETTS: Officials are quitting in droves because of the harassment and abuse coming from parents, coaches and players, the association for referees Massachusetts Hockey said.

Bob Joyce, the president of Massachusetts Hockey, said bad behavior by parents has long been a problem, but this year there has been a wave of referees that chose to simply hang up their skates.

“It’s just a few bad apples, really, that kind of spoil the bunch,” Joyce said. “99.9% of our parents are great, but it just takes a few that create uncomfortable situations in the ranks — abuse of officials, coaches harassing officials, kind of not understanding that, just like coaches and players who make mistakes, so do officials.”

Some games have been canceled as a result, but more often the remaining referees are taking on more games than usual, he said. Joyce worries that other referees picking up extra games — often seven or eight in a weekend — will lead to burnout.

In one incident this season, he said, an official was scheduled to referee three games in a row and faced repeated harassment from parents and a coach.

“And at the end of the first game, she just packed up her stuff and said, ‘I can't do this anymore. It's just not worth my time and effort,’” Joyce said.

Referee shortages across sports at the youth level have been “alive and kicking” for several years, said Tara Bennett, the director of communications for the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association.

“It’s at times very challenging for individuals,” Bennett said, of referees enduring behavior from spectators. “People are very passionate about their sports, and they’ll certainly be vocal about that.”

Other problems, such as scheduling conflicts for those with other jobs, also make it difficult to build up a stable of referees.

“We’re not seeing as many teachers that are becoming referees,” Bennett added, “which, if you think about it, with their schedule, after school ... that would be a natural transition.”

The hockey association referred to its anti-harassment rules in its statement, which includes banning parents, coaches, and players from future games if they’re found to be abusing officials.

“There are three elements that go into the game,” Joyce said. “If you don't have players, you don't have officials or you don't have coaches, you can't play the game.”
like
1
dislike
1
angry1
0
friendly
0
love
0
Members reacted like:
Guest17315,
Members reacted dislike:
Guest13700,
No reactions
No reactions
No reactions

Tags:
 

With Quick-Reply you can write a post when viewing a topic without loading a new page. You can still use bulletin board code and smileys as you would in a normal post.

Warning: this topic has not been posted in for at least 120 days.
Unless you're sure you want to reply, please consider starting a new topic.

Verification:
Type the letters shown in the picture
Listen to the letters / Request another image
Type the letters shown in the picture:
type $bl@d6? - all lowercase:

Mass. youth hockey officials propose no-check hockey to get players back

Started by Youth Hockey InfoBoard General Youth Hockey Info

Replies: 3
Views: 4591
Last post July 25, 2020, 01:52:44 PM
by Guest
DE/NJ/NY/PA Youth Hockey Directory

Started by adminBoard Youth Hockey Info Center

Replies: 0
Views: 14719
Last post April 22, 2018, 04:55:17 PM
by admin
Video Captures Controversial Arrest Of Youth Hockey Coach

Started by guestBoard General Youth Hockey Info

Replies: 2
Views: 16808
Last post April 27, 2018, 01:54:49 PM
by guest
Eastern Regional Youth Hockey Managers List

Started by Youth Hockey InfoBoard Team Managers Forum

Replies: 0
Views: 13216
Last post May 12, 2018, 08:38:00 PM
by Youth Hockey Info
What is Youth Hockey Info?

Started by Youth Hockey InfoBoard Youth Hockey Info Center

Replies: 0
Views: 13986
Last post May 21, 2018, 09:58:30 AM
by Youth Hockey Info