Some parents of young hockey players in Canada are notorious for getting carried away and yelling insults at games, and some teenage referees are quitting as a result.
Referee numbers have dropped from 200 to 160 this year in the western city of Saskatoon and the local referee association puts that down to fans and coaches abusing young officials. The association is trying to help by providing mentors to the young referees. It and the Saskatoon Minor Hockey Association are also reminding people that formal complaints of abuse can lead to suspensions.
“Things won’t change”
Things won’t change though until parents and fans change their attitudes, says Jill Andrea who has refereed for 22 years.
“Unfortunately, as hockey officials we come in and we are taught that this (abuse) is part of hockey. It shouldn’t be part of hockey. It is not part of soccer, it is not part of football, it is not part of baseball. But it is an acceptable part of hockey,” Andrea said.
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