Officials in Youth Hockey And Other Sports Disappearing

[Youth Hockey Info]

Hey ref, "YOU SUCK"! What kind of call is that!

Sound familiar? Youth hockey everywhere in North America is suffering from a major shortage of man power in zebra stripes.

Why? Youth hockey is bigger than ever and opportunity abounds.....

There really isn't a reason to ask why, they hear it every game from the stands and from the bench. Referee's are not perfect, nobody is and more importantly this isn't their day job, there's no reason for them to consistently be treated poorly. They're volunteers who willingly offer their free time to step away from their family and personal obligations to ensure our games are played.

End result, nobody likes being treated poorly and constantly criticized for every decision they make, good or bad. It gets old and wears thin on their patience quickly.

We have a widespread critical shortage of officials in high school and youth sports. A large part of the reason why is because of us coaches, players & fans. We can’t play, coach or watch the games without officials. It's not resigned to youth hockey, it's everywhere; baseball, soccer, basketball, football.....and so on. It's competitive nature to want to question or comment on every decision but let these guys and girls do their jobs. They get paid next to nothing and there is no obligation for them to continue if they decide it's no longer worth it.

Let’s all do our part to make the officials’ workplace a place they want to be, not runaway from.

Poll included.

[Guest]

I get it but I'm neither. Some of these guys have a clear cut agenda with a me against the world attitude. They step onto the ice pissed off, they leave the ice pissed off. Just trying to ask a simple question results in a "wanna be thrown out" response. Work both ways, if a call is questionable they have to be approachable and at the very least willing to hear out coaches.

[Guest]

naa, too many big egos

[Guest]

most of these miserable refs are from south jersey. Proven fact.

[Guest]

Poor treatment for no reason, yes. Can't say this applies to all.