Ref shortage looming crisis
Lack of officials leading to game cancellations in outlying areas
This is the first in a three-part series examining a shortage of hockey officials in the area that could have wide-ranging and longlasting effects on minor hockey.
There is a looming crisis threatening the future of minor hockey in the Peterborough area.
Games are being cancelled in outlying centres like Ennismore, Douro, Keene, etc... due to a lack of officials. The number of referees and linesmen is decreasing at an alarming rate say area supervisors. It’s only a matter of time before it begins affecting games in Peterborough, too.
Every weekend urgent mass emails are being sent out asking referees to take on extra games to avoid cancellations, says Mike Dennis, one of three area OMHA officiating supervisors with Paul Legacy and Ben Kirkwood. That is a new phenomenon which started late last season.
This year alone, 37 officials, mostly in Level 2 and 3, left the game while only 10 new recruits were brought in. In the previous four years, a total of 114 officials left with less than 60 new ones signing up.
“We’re not able to move enough up from the younger ranks to make up for the numbers who are leaving,” said Dennis.
With a majority of area officials in the 40 and over age range, many in their 50’s and 60’s, this trend is expected to continue.
This year there are 111 officials to cover all boys and girls hockey in an area from Ennismore east to Havelock and Bewdley north to Apsley. That includes 10 in Level 1 (minimum age of 14 and capable of doing novice and lower house league), 54 at Level 2 (minimum age 16 and able to do up to peewee house league and limited rep games), 44 in Level 3 (minimum age 18 and able to do rep advancing up to all ages), two at Level 4 (able to do junior hockey) and one in Level 5 (capable of international play).
“It’s at a level that is definitely concerning,” said Kirkwood. “it’s something that’s being talked about across the OMHA. This isn’t just a Peterborough problem... If we keep losing 30 officials a year for the next five years I don’t know what it looks like at the end of that.
“The problem is the new officials we have this season,” said Kirkwood, “are brand new kids who aren’t able to step in and referee rep hockey. We’re losing referees who ref rep hockey and we’re replacing them with kids who have very limited skills of games they can referee.”
“I don’t think people realize what a crisis we could be in sooner rather than later,” said Sean Hazeldine, Peterborough Minor Hockey Council referee-in-chief. “I’ve been very fortunate. I’ve not had to cancel any AAA games but we’ve been very close.”
Hazeldine said he’s had to get OMHA permission several times to bend the rules to allow a game to proceed. That’s included doing bantam or midget AAA games, which employ a four-man system,
with only three officials or allowing an official to work a game without the mandated rest period. Officials are not supposed to work more than three consecutive games and if they do they must take a threegame break before doing another.
“You can get some special permission through our supervisors to do that,” said Hazeldine. “It’s not recommended. You do it as a last ditch desperate measure.”
The four-man system is a real challenge for tournaments.
“I’m a little nervous about the midget AAA tournament coming up (in January),” said Hazeldine.
“The only way they’ll be able to do it,” said Dennis, “is to bring some officials from outside areas which usually comes with a bigger price tag because they have to pay mileage. If they’re going to be here for the whole weekend, they’re probably going to have to pay for hotels.”
Tomorrow: A look at why the number of local officials is declining.
mdavies@postmedia.com
We’re not able to move enough up from the younger ranks to make up for the numbers who are leaving,” Mike Dennis