Soccer Referees Bullied

MJD is right on target with his/her assessment of a major problem in our youth soccer program. I was also in attendance at the jamboree and witnessed a number of coaches and parents openly and offensively criticizing the referees and even in some cases the players. Some normally reasonable adults seem to lose all perspective once they reach the soccer field. These are young children playing a game for fun and exercise. To shout at and intimidate players, or the adolescents that are officiating, is demeaning to their self-esteem and has caused many youngsters to quit altogether rather than face ridicule, aggression and embarrassment.

My teenage son referees for COYSA and has, for the most part, dealt with coaches who were friendly and respectful. He has unfortunately also been bullied several times by coaches who disputed a call. Young referees are performing a service to our community by officiating games of younger players and we have a duty as a society to support and protect them from over-zealous coaches and parents. Although referees are paid, no one should have to accept such hostility in the workplace.

I recognize that coaches are volunteers (and yes, I too volunteer), but this does not give them the right to cross over the line into verbal abuse. All coaches should be informed that such behaviour is absolutely forbidden, and be forced to relinquish their position if they do not strictly comply with the rules. We cannot allow people to misbehave at the expense of our youth simply because they volunteered!

It is time for coaches and parents alike to model appropriate behaviour for our children: respect, good sportsmanship, and control. After all, it is only a game.

J.K.