We depend on the commitment of our officials and volunteers to offer athletes of all ages a chance to play sports in a safe and fun environment.
Many sports associations in Canada (and indeed around the world!) promote a spirit of Fair Play among its community members (players, parents, coaches, etc) and drive it through its officials (referees, timekeepers, etc.) And yet, every year, incidents of verbal abuse and unacceptable behavior mar the positive experience of the game.
Referees as young as 13 work hard on ice, on the courts and on the fields to ensure that rules are communicated and followed. Referee training is focused on the technical aspects of the game (regulations, calls, processes). Despite their professional ability to assess and judge a game, referees are not always prepared for dealing with coaches, players and parents. While some develop coping skills, others get discouraged and too many quit.
Building awareness in our communities is essential. Yet, as they wait for change to happen, referees and officials can also take a proactive stance.
ReferEase is a specific training program for referees and officials:
- Focused on developing strong interpersonal skills
- Complements current training offer that is technical or process driven
- Reinforces the Referee’s authority on the field and contributes to a positive sports environment
- Offers proven tools to speak out with confidence, overcome adversity and handle verbal abuse
- Develops life skills that are transferable to the work place and at home
What it’s about
The RefereEase approach includes a three-hour core training workshop followed by refresher modules.
The core module offers you:
- Easy tips for creating a positive first impression,
- A closer look at “the brain on sports” and why people lose their cool,
- Specific words to avoid when giving instructions and the key phrases you can use to get things to go your way,
- A constructive approach for deflecting verbal abuse and threats
- Plus proven tools that drive a positive environment of confidence for all
Meet officials from different sports and share tools and ideas on how you can promote the fair play spirit in our gyms, arenas and fields!
