The Sunshine Coast Minor Hockey Association (SCMHA) is looking for hockey fans to officiate games in the coming season, which begins Aug. 22.
Brenda Rowe – who was elected president of the SCMHA in May – said they are working on building a pool of officials to take the burden off only two adults who are currently covering all of the games.
“We’ve really struggled over the last few years with officials,” Rowe said. “Particularly for the older, Bantam A and above teams because their officials have to be older – they have to be over 16 – and they require a more experienced skill set to ref those games, which are far more competitive [with] checking involved.”
Officials either referee the game and call the penalties, or they line the games and call the off-sides. The SCMHA is looking for people of all ages, as long as they have some free time and a passion for hockey.
“People usually start lining before they start reffing, so they work their way up the divisions,” Rowe explained. “We want anybody who can skate and has some basic hockey knowledge and wants to give back a bit of time to their community.”
Officials are paid for their time – older ones make a little more than younger ones.
A Junior A game between the Powell River Kings and the Chilliwack Chiefs is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. at the Gibsons and Area Community Centre (GACC) on Aug. 28. Tickets are on sale at GACC and the Sechelt pool for $7, and age six and under are free.
“We’re also going to incorporate an officiating recruitment event at that game,” Rowe said. “If you sign up for the recruitment event, you get a free ticket to the game.
“We’re looking at building an actual program where there’s development for the officials that goes on throughout the season.”
Although it’s not confirmed, there is a tentative clinic for potential officials booked for Sept. 10. If you are interested in officiating for the SCMHA, contact Mike Ricard at [email protected]
