SOUTHLAND REFEREE PROCEDURES

Assignments  

Southland hockey assigns referees during seeding and regular rounds as follows:

Bantam and Midget : All officials assigned by Central Zone

PeeWee Div 1 – 3 : All officials assigned by Central Zone

PeeWee Div 4 - 12:  Southland officials are Linesmen, the Head Referee is assigned by Central Zone.

Atom Div 1 – 3 :  all officials assigned by Southland - one Referee and 2 Linesman

Atom Div 4 – 11 :  Two referees assigned by Southland

Novice All Divisions:  Two referees assigned by Southland

  Payment  

Central Zone referees are paid directly through our association (teams do not pay Central Zone Officials). 

 Southland officials are always paid cash by the host Southland team.  Please pay the officials at the conclusion of the game (exact change please).  Please do not give our referees a cheque for payment.  Fees are listed on the website.

  Feedback  

Please feel free to contact the referee coordinator with any feedback.  This is the best way for officials to learn and improve. 

  Respect our Officials

 An important aspect for coaches to remember about the game of hockey, in particular Minor Hockey is that they are to support the officials and teach players to respect officials.  This includes before, during and after games.  Coaches can directly affect the attitude of our young players to the officials.

 Coaches have a significant impact on how referees are treated and respected in Southland Hockey and Minor Hockey in general.  Remember – No Referees – No Game!!  That’s right – officials are an integral part of the game!!  There is little doubt that the game of hockey is at its best when all participants co-operate and respect the players, officials, coaches and rules of the game.

 Officials up to even the highest level of any sport make mistakes, as do the coaches and the athletes.  We all strive to improve from our mistakes.  What is not needed is an attitude of disrespect not only for officials but for anyone involved in our sport.

 There is one other factor that allows our young referees to improve, and that is experience.  A co-operative and respectful environment during the game will increase the length of time young referees stay in hockey as officials.  If we work together we can ensure that our referees stay with the game and continue to improve their skills.

 Facts about Referee Turnover

In a typical year there is over a 50% turnover in referees in the Calgary Minor Hockey System.  To build experience and skills we must encourage Southland’s referees to remain an official for the game of hockey for as long as possible.  Southland Hockey has experienced this level of turnover in the past, but last year Southland had less than a 25% turnover, and we are gaining the reputation of providing excellent referees!!  Mostly this is due to the great support that they get from our coaches and teams, please keep up the good work!!   

 There is more detail relative to our Referee Program on the Southland website under the ‘Manual’ tab.  

Thanks,  

Elaine Smith

Referee Coordinator, Southland Hockey

403-281-0718

Referee@southlandhockey.com