By Todd Anderson,officiating, Hockey Canada /
Approximately 33,000 hockey officials are registered annually across Canada. While this may seem like a large number of registered officials there are many associations that still face a shortage of these individuals on the ice.
Coupled with a high turnover rate, the cycle of recruiting, the training and the growing pool of quality players, officiating is proving to be a daunting task.
As a parent of three sons who have all played the game of hockey, two of them have taken up officiating as a way to better learn and understand this sport. They have quickly come to love this side of the game, feeling a sense of pride and dedication as they provide proper officiating for all those involved in hockey.
As this game continues to evolve, so are the standards of play, level of skills and pace of the game; the need for quality officiating must also evolve.
Some of the challenges officials must face as they get involved;
Officials must be able to skate at the same level as the players.
They must be able to make quick decisions under pressure.
They must understand the playing rules.
They must attend clinics each season to re-certify and update their knowledge.
They must have a unique ability to remain impartial.
As many Minor Hockey Associations will attest to, the recruitment and retention of officials are two of their major issues. They require officials to participate at all levels of the game, from Novice all the way up to the University level.
How do you recruit individuals to officiate? Once you recruit them, how do you retain them?
High turnover rates result in the need to recruit new officials. Officials require game and mentorship support throughout their development and training. They also require exemplary teachers. Often times, those who start at the lower level and decide to leave the program after one season of officiating create a void of seasoned officials who would have been more experienced in their second or third year of officiating had they stayed involved. In a sense, each game an individual officiates is on the job training; there are no practice sessions for officials.
Hockey Canada is currently conducting a survey to assist our Branches in identifying the reasons why officials are leaving the game. With these results, we will be able to address these issues in order to improve the recruitment and retention of our officials.
As the season winds down, consider how our behavior and attitude towards officiating can assist in retaining officials in the game, and to create an environment where new officials will want to become involved.
Whether you are a parent, coach, player, and active or recently retired, we encourage you to consider officiating. It provides you with the opportunity to stay involved with the game, improve the game, and contribute to maintaining the quality of the game.
For more information on becoming an official, contact your local Minor Hockey Association, Branch or visit the Hockey Canada website (www.hockeycanada.ca). |