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call â€"~ there a hockey orgaI happy to have the whistle. It is a brewing predicament minor hockey is facing with enough frequency to cause concern, as games in some York Simcoe Minor Hockey League centres are being scrubbed due to an unavailability of on-ice oflicials. scrubbed due to an unavailability of on-ice officials. It is not yet an epidemic, but certainly it is a development wqrth noting. “It's the first time I’ve had to can- cel three games in one day," said Brens, whose headaches snow- balled the following day when a severe winter storm struck the area and wiped out games not only involving Markham teams, but also in other nearby centres and pro- grams. Then there are high school and adult recreational leagues, and even ringette, which often draw on the same pools of oflicials. Minor hockey’s growth is always calculated in terms of player reg- istrations, not the on-ice ofiicials who supervise the action. “There’s a big concern," said Harry Brailsford, a vice-president with the York Simcoe Minor Hockey League and Markham Waxers pro- gams. In Markham, Waxers' orga- nization referee-in-chief Gerry Brens was forced to cancel three rep games on a recent Saturday because officials were not available for the matches, The Whitchurch-Stouffville Minor Hockey Association, too, has had some games cancelled because referees could not be assigned for games “But it’s a case of guys taking a shift elsewhere sometimes. We compete for the same oflicials with the GTHL and women’s hockey." In short, more hockey is being played than ever before, but the pool of officials is not growing at the same rate. ‘ But without that valuable piece of the puzzle, the sport would be drastically altered. “We do have a numbers problem and with recruitment. We’re doing everything we can to be competi‘ tive.” The problem is not confined to Markham, although it seems rea- sonable the risk is higher for com- munities bordering on the Greater Wanted: A few good men and women Never there are days 3 ' organizations Shortage of referees causing concerns among minor hockey league officials across GTA BY IOHN CUDMORE Staff Writer er mind the right 01 anyone ;m or wrong some minor 3 would be at all to blow EveryrRe at dinner RAVED. x i Toronto Hockey League’s territory. It is a complex issue given the skill requirements for referees to oversee games at various levels. Similar to players, officials must work their way through a certifica- tion process to qualify to referee high-end games. Certification, such as coaching or officiating in other sports, is a progression. In some ways, the predicament faced by minor hockey recalls the border wars for players bouncing between Ontario Minor Hockey Association and GTHL centres. However, it is doubtful the inde- pendent ways of officials can ever be curtailed, as was the case with players when outside adjudicaâ€" tors were forced to intervene in minor hockey business more than a decade ago. Despite mileage increases in 2006, OMHA pay rates have been stagnant since 2002, according to Kevin Hamilton, the OMHA's man- ager of development programs. Fact is, officials are going to folâ€" low the money, especially if travel time is not a factor. Ironically, OMHA statistics indi imported wines at great volL cate a slight increase in Area G, which encompasses York Simcoe. for registered officials for the cur- rent season. Part of the problem, however, is while entxy level officials are holdâ€" ing firm. the loss of upper end refâ€" erees leaves a void that is difficult to fill. “It’s probably a myriad of reaâ€" sons and it's not being missed by the OMHA,“ said Peter Harmsen, a former referee scheduler for the Whitchurchâ€"Stoufiville Minor Hockey Association. “Because of the turnover, it is tough to develop young officials. Each centre has to concentrate on developing younger officials and lure back those who have left." This season, 693 officials are reg- istered. up from 680 last season. In some cases, officials quit because they tire of abuse from spectators and coaches. Some may opt to spend more time with families. ()r. young ofii- cials head off to school in out-of- town locations â€"â€" and in the past five years they have been doing so a year earlier due to the high school curriculum â€"a huge factor, as it a" ddivarod anywhere you The list of reasons is lengthy. None of which helps solve the curâ€" rent crisis in centres on the border. “Our pool is a little weak right now because over the past couple of years we haven‘t had as many new ones come in," said Brens. “There is a shortage of a certain level of officials, but we have lots coming in (at the entry level). I don’t think we'll see much improvement until next year." turns out. It is forcing organizations to look outward to ensure officials for games. It is not unusual to borrow ofli- cials from other centres, Brens said. That means knowing the staffing and schedule particulars for neigh- bouring communities to fill holes in his own schedule by calling in officials from another program. Still, Brens concedes he is too often in scramble mode behind the scenes to ensure games are covered. But consideration must be given to the circumstances when determin- ing the fate of a game. “If you have a team coming in from Peterborough. for instance. you can't go until game time uncer- Swulfville Sun-'l'ribune I 'Ihursday. Ian. 5, 2008 15 Iain whether you will have officials," he said. . For communities farther removed from the G'l‘llL border, a shortage of on-ice oflicials seems less an issue. Clearly, a minor hockey can never have too many officials. Both the Aurora and Newmarket minor hockey organizations are operating with comfortable numbers. “I’m happy with the way our ofii- ciating is going," said Joe Bento- lila, president of the Aurora Minor Hockey Association, where 80 to 90 officials are in the fold. In addition. he said, another 25 or so teens are involved at the first stage of a develâ€" opment program for new officials as scorekeepers. Similarly, the Newmarket Minor Hockey Association's pool is ade- quately stocked and seemingly beyond the reach of the GTHL One area that can be controlled is in the way officials are treated by coaches, players and spectators. “Nothing can put a bad taste in your mouth like when 3 ref- eree makes a bad call,” said Mike Humphreys, president of the Whitchurch-Stouffville Minor Hockey Association. “But we are telling our coaches and parents you have to move on. We want people to respect our ref- erees, especially our young It is a familiar problem, but one which remains constant over the years. Right or wrong, love ’em or loathe 'em, officials are an easy tarâ€" get. Adds Brailsford: “It’s not necesâ€" sarily abuse, but let’s say ‘Canadian enthusiasm’ for hockey." As in many centres, the Aurora Mlnor Hockey Association makes parents aware that a zeroâ€"tolerance abuse policy exists. The AMHA has even experi- mented with one-way radio sys- tems by which a supervisor remains in contact with the onâ€"ice official, offering advice during the game. “Even if they hear verbal abuse by a coach toward players, it helps us monitor and helps decide next year’s (coaching) selections." said Bentolila. As well, the AMHA encourages its officials to advise the organiza- tion of potential trouble spots. “The referees and parents have to know we're there to support them and want to help them. If we can. we can develop them better. If we're they to support them and listen to them, maybe people will back off." r yotkroglon com it clicks homo