Referee-in-Chief

Hi Coach, my name is Robert Smith and I am the Referee-in-Chief for Sydney Minor Hockey.

As Referee in Chief, my main objective is the recruitment and development of young, new officials.  It is increasingly harder each year to retain and attract new officials and there are several reasons but the leading cause appears to be abuse at the rinks. Much of officiating is learned from experience and the less turnover we have the better the officiating gets.

Hockey is the most demanding sport to officiate and let’s face it, none of us are perfect. I’m sure that if all the officials, their parents and friends got together to watch a minor hockey game, singled out one player on one team and began to verbally demoralize him, this act would be deemed shameful and despicable. Well, what makes it ok to do this to a young official trying to do his best..


If I could offer a few suggestions to all coaches:

• No referee has any respect for disrespectful players and coaches.
• I have never known of a referee, who was BIAS towards one team; this is a cop out excuse 99 percent of the time. (I’ll allow one percent for argument sake)
• If you feel you MUST question the referee on a call, use your captain or assistants. Have him or her approach the referee calmly and ask permission for the coach to talk to him. Most likely this approach will work, but remember, keep calm and he’ll be more receptive to your opinion. There may be times that a referee may not wish to discuss a call due to certain situations, this is his prerogative, do not force the issue.
• The phrase “Get control of the game Ref.” can be used sparingly if the coach, first and foremost,  has control of the players. Many times over the years I have heard this phrase while watching a game,  but almost every time the referee is calling more than his share of penalties and yet the coach shows no interest in controlling his/her players.(this also includes those few parents who just don’t get
  the point, put a lid on them coach, they are your responsibility !!!)
• Although you are hockey coach you are also a MENTOR. Teach your players RESPECT and DISCIPLINE and the kids will take with them a valuable asset throughout their life, something much more important than the game itself.

As I have mentioned, hockey is the most demanding of all sports to officiate and it takes years just to become comfortable out there. We will never be perfect; we just ask for your patience and co-operation and that we can work together to improve the experience of playing, coaching and officiating this fantastic game we love so much.

I will be responsible for the assignment of officials for all REP. and METRO home games. I would ask that each coach contact me before the start of the season so we can get acquainted and I can get the names and numbers of your staff and find out when your weekly home game is scheduled. I will automatically assign your officials each week. If you have any changes or cancellations you must notify me immediately.

Robert Smith
Email