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Referees also have to show respect to players and coaches

Dear Editor, In response to Cole’s article on referee abuse, I too feel compelled to chime in on the issue. Firstly, I agree with everything Cole said in his article, however, I feel he missed a few points.

Dear Editor,

In response to Cole’s article on referee abuse, I too feel compelled to chime in on the issue. Firstly, I agree with everything Cole said in his article, however, I feel he missed a few points.

I was not present at the basketball game he refers to, but attend an average of three minor hockey games a week, and feel that parents and coaches are generally far better behaved than in recent years. (I grew up in small town Saskatchewan, where there were fights in the stands every weekend).

It is easy to argue that abuse to referees is unacceptable. However, the other side of the story isn’t often spoken of: the disrespect referees show toward coaches and players. We all know there are many competent, respectful and respected referees in all sports. However, there are several referees who feel they can treat coaches and players as if they were sub-human.

There is a mindset amongst some minor hockey referees that they are in complete control of the game and are not required to give coaches or players the time of day. When referees refuse to engage in reasonable dialogue with coaches and players and treat coaches as if they are the enemy, they are taking advantage of their authority. Referees also seem to be able to slap coaches with “abuse of official” accusations and file any falsified report they desire and the coach often has no ability to rebut the referee’s version of the events. Great way to lose great coaches.

Just because there is a shortage of referees and they “brave blizzards”, does not give referees the right to treat coaches (who are volunteers and have braved many blizzards also) like morons. Are we all still not human beings? Let’s treat one another with simple human decency, on and off the ice.

I agree, that sport can be “ruined by an overbearing parent or authority figure”. Let’s not assume it is always parents or coaches who are ruining the sporting experience.

“It’s all about respect. It’s as simple as that”. It goes both ways.

Paula Zacharias

DeWinton




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