A splash of green will be added to the familiar zebra stripes on the uniforms of officials working Ontario Minor Hockey Association games this fall.
The hockey association announced last week that a green arm band with the words ‘No Ref No Game’ will now be sewn to the uniform for on-ice officials under the age of 18. They’re meant to serve as a nice reminder to coaches, players and parents that respect must be shown to referees. A great idea, though it’s disappointing that such a measure even needed to be put in place. It should also go without saying that even those over the age of 18 deserve respect when working a game-though they may develop thicker skin as they grow up, they shouldn’t have to endure verbal abuse over a call on a sports field.
When announcing the new initiative the OMHA shared some of the data behind the move which indicated last season saw 1,911 ‘disrespectful and abusive behaviour and physical harassment’ penalties called by OMHA officials. That doesn’t even capture all of the events, just the ones that went far enough to warrant a penalty. Placing a player in a penalty box and making a team play at a disadvantage for a few minutes is better than nothing, but it’s clearly not enough of a deterrent.
Hockey certainly isn’t alone in this matter as all sports seem to be plagued by similar issues. Baseball, basketball, football, while the rules may vary from sport to sport, the need to be courteous to those making the calls remains the same.
Often it’s not even the young players but coaches or parents in the stands who demonstrate the unruly behaviour which they feel is justified in the moment. For what’s worth, berating an official isn’t likely going to get a call reversed. Referees and umpires are human and even the professional ones make mistakes. Particularly as the minor sport level, officials are doing the best they can, collecting a few bucks while supporting a sport they love. They’re probably not going to make a full-time career out of officiating-but then again, the overwhelming majority of the kids on the playing surface aren’t going pro, either. Even if they have those aspirations, a missed call could be seen as a learning opportunity for young athletes about how to deal with adversity. Not losing composure over a borderline call can be a huge advantage down the road and though it may not always feel like it, play enough games and the calls will even out.
However in order to play those games, there needs to be an official on the field. Chasing them away with disrespectful attitudes and despicable behaviour isn’t going to help anyone.
A little something we should all keep in mind as hockey season gets underway.
-Adam Prudhomme