With almost 1500 boys and
girls playing soccer this summer, it takes a large team of dedicated
officials to make sure that everyone enjoys their experience.
The three
young referees in the photo were part of the 2005 squad and are shown in
this article just prior to doing a game between Desjardins’ Food Basics and Elmview Playground in
the Over-25 adult division. From the left we have Caitlin Hetu (15, in her
4th year as a referee), Scott Cliff (19, in his 6th
year), and Jen Moyle (19, in her 7th year).
Jen was the Assistant Referee-in-Chief last year. She is a graduate
of
Confederation
Secondary School
was planning on entering the five-year Concurrent Education Program in Bio-Chemistry
at Laurentian University. Jen also played on a team in the
Under 25 division.
“We have a pretty good split of boys and girls refereeing this
summer,” explained Jen referring to the 90 officials between the ages of
12 and 24 who were working the fields in 2005. “There are only about
five of us with more than seven years experience, so some of the senior
referees are on the field almost every night doing the older divisions.
The first year referees may get one game a week, but on average people get
to do a couple of games every week.”
Jen and her assistant, Rob Deschamps, spent time each evening
supervising younger referees, giving them tips and coaching in order to
improve their skills. The Referee In Chief was Anne Blanchette. Jen is also
a Class III Referee under the National Soccer Association Certification
program. This allows her to officiate in competitive level competitions.
In order to become qualified to referee in the league, a person must
attend a 10-hour clinic which is conducted by representatives from
Sudbury
. Every year after that, the referees take a brief refresher course at the
beginning of the season. Entry level referees are Class IV Officials.
