Joey Payeur
The Fort Frances Minor Hockey Association is trying to encourage a fall fashion trend among younger people—with an emphasis on stripes.
A junior Level 1 and 2 refereeing clinic will be held Sept. 27 from 8 a.m.-noon at the Memorial Sports Centre in an effort to restock the reduced number of on-ice officials available here.
New FFMHA referee-in-chief Pete LeDrew said the idea is to try and get more young people involved in officiating.
“I think refereeing can give them more of a perspective and a different perspective on the game,” noted LeDrew, filling in for longtime referee-in-chief Trevor Scott, who is taking a year off from the role.
The majority of the work needed to obtain the refereeing certificate can be done online by interested candidates.
While those participating must pay $118 when they sign up online, LeDrew confirmed the FFMHA will reimburse anyone who registers for the course when they come for the on-ice portion.
“It’s a good initiative for people to do it as, in the end, it’s not going to put them out of pocket,” said LeDrew, who added there isn’t a crisis in terms of officiating numbers locally.
“Hockey Canada is really pushing younger people to get involved, especially those between 18 and 25, as they have a gap in the number of officials at the highest elite level,” he explained.
“We’ve got two or three in that age range around here right now, but we would like to pick those numbers up,” LeDrew noted.
“We could always use more,” he stressed. “Especially for the [SIJHL] and high school, we’re trying to have that local flavour out there.”
LeDrew added any interested candidates needing a referee’s jersey or a visor, or with any questions, can contact him via e-mail at ledrew1@vianet.ca
Those interested can find a link to the online course on the FFMHA’s website at www.fortfranceshockey.com
