Parent opens door during game to berate 12-year-old referee-in-training (video)

For a few years now, associations representing officials in minor league sports all over North America have been sounding the alarm as the number of people willing to do it is dropping rapidly. We've seen examples in the past of why this is happening, but this one really hits home considering the age of the targeted referee.

In a post on social media, a parent shared a video of her 12-year-old son, who was still in training to be a referee when this was taken. The game involved children 10 and under. While the 12-year-old ref is skating back, taking in the play, a parent opens one of the rink doors to yell something at him. While the poster says the puck is in play, it sounds like the whistle had just been blown when the door opens.

I get it, parents are passionate about their kids. I certainly am about mine. But you'd think cooler heads would prevail here, and if the parent was really that concerned about a call they could have addressed it with the 12-year-old after the game as constructive criticism. In the meantime, finding someone willing to wear the stripes is going to continue getting harder if incidents like this are accepted.

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