By Alison Martin
Referees are being verbally abused and their only defence is a whistle and a rulebook.
As the hockey season nears its end, referees are facing higher levels of abuse both on and off the ice.
Criticism of referees is expected because it’s playoff season and controversial calls can determine the outcome of the matches and how teams finish in the standings.
Mark Gallant, a level six hockey official, referees games in the junior hockey leagues and in the Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union, which includes the Ottawa University Gee-Gees.
He says the playoffs definitely get exciting, because there is more on the line, especially at the higher levels where the farther a team progresses, the more revenue it stands to gain.
As for the increased abuse, Gallant accepts it.
“The rules have always been there, but I guess referees have always taken it that it’s part of the game, that they’re supposed to get a bit of abuse and that their tolerance level should be high.”
Gallant commended the Ontario and District Hockey Association for its support of officials through its disciplinary hearing process and by supporting the clinical and technical development of officials.
The ODHA has been criticized for its inability to control the growing problem of verbal and physical abuse.
In February 1997 a bantam- age player from Orleans left the penalty box before his penalty was served to join a fight between two other players. A linesman was punched several times when he interjected.
The boy was suspended for several games because of a number of offenses but was given no extra penalty for hitting the official.
Steve Sleigh, vice-president of Rules and Officiating at the ODHA, showed confidence in the association’s actions.
“We’ve had some physical abuse in the last few years, some disciplinary hearings and the molesting of officials. They’ve been dealt with accordingly after the hearings,” says Sleigh.
Yet, 30 per cent of first-year referees do not return because of abuse.
Sleigh adds, “It’s not from the players at the younger levels, because they are just learning the game, but mainly the parents and coaches. If we had more patience from the parents or from the coaches at that level we wouldn’t lose as many officials.”
At the start of the 1996 hockey season, the Canadian Hockey Association instituted a zero-tolerance policy. Referees were instructed to increase the number of penalties awarded for abusive behavior.
Despite the introduction of the policy, many parents such as Maurice Archambault believe that the number of incidents have increased. Archambault‘s sons play in the atom and novice divisions of the Blackburn Minor Hockey Association.
“It seemed like this year, a lot of games weren’t controlled, the game was lost. When you allow that to happen, you’re inviting trouble. That’s when it gets dangerous.”
In order to control the problem Archambault suggested pairing an experienced official with a new recruit until he is confident in his judgment.
The abuse of referees, however, is not exclusive to hockey. It plagues other sports, such as basketball and soccer.
Karla McChesney, a qualified soccer official, says she had her share of violent confrontations.
In a men’s indoor soccer league game during the 1996-97 season at Lans-downe Park’s Coliseum Sports and Recreation Centre, a male player attempted to strike her.
The player was incensed by a caution McChesney had given to him for a dangerous infraction.
McChesney ejected the player for excessive aggression and immediately ended the game. Upon the decision of the disciplinary committee, the player was suspended from further play in the indoor league.
As in the hockey league, McChesney says the disrespect shown towards referees came from the older participants.
“The younger players respect me, but I do get verbal abuse from the crowd. I just ignore the comments.”