Without referees, especially at certain levels of sport, games cannot be played.
So an effort to help keep referees on the pitch by using body cameras is being applauded by governing soccer bodies across Ontario.
"The abuse towards referees is nothing new, unfortunately, in any sport," said Guelph Soccer executive director David Frizzell. "They seem to be the centre of the topics at all levels in all sports, but we do need to do everything that we can to try and support them and protect them."
The body camera pilot project was started in partnership between Ontario Soccer and Brock University Sport Management.
This, after Ontario Soccer identified referee maltreatment as the top reason referees aren't sticking around, even describing post-pandemic return rates as "alarmingly low" in comparison to the return rates of players in Ontario sports at all age levels.
Fifty referees wore the technology through the summer soccer season, and will continue into the fall and winter seasons.
Referees turn on the camera when they arrive at a venue for a game, and turn them off after they leave.
Preliminary data is expected to be analyzed in November.
The goal is to see if the cameras act as a visual deterrent to reduce maltreatment.
Frizzell said it's unfortunate it's gotten to this point, but is hopeful the body camera project can help curb some of the abuse officials face.
None of the body cameras are being used by Guelph Soccer referees at the moment.
"We haven't mandated it," Frizzell said. "We are not telling our officials that they have to do this. There is an opportunity for the referees, if they would like to participate and opt into it, (to) be part of the pilot project, (we would support them)."
He suspects there is a chance the pilot project runs until at least the beginning of next summer.
"If the outcome is that they feel like it's worth while, and it does protect referees, then we would certainly fully support that," Frizzell said.
He said another aspect of the body camera project is the video evidence of incidents requiring disciplinary action.
"It'll be interesting to see the data that comes out of this, and see how it's gone," Frizzell said.
"In the meantime, we at Guelph Soccer, what we're really focused on is seeing what we can do to communicate to our parents, to our coaches, managers, players, just with regards to code of conduct on and off the field, and that includes how to interact with the officials."
In the end, he said Guelph Soccer is trying to create an environment of respect, an environment where everyone can enjoy the game, all while raising good people through sport.
Guelph Soccer is also looking to recruit more officials, he said.
Anyone interested is asked to contact Brandon Landsborough, the referee assignor with Guelph Soccer.
For some, it makes a great part-time job, and a way to make money while staying involved.
But to keep them around, Frizzell is calling for spectators to do their part.
He said the ironic thing is the spectators yelling at senior officials to the point they're being chased out of the game, will also be the ones complaining about the quality of officiating because the governing body is replacing the senior refs with junior officials, or those transitioning into officiating.
"You're ruining it for everybody, and we need refs," he continued. "You can't have sport, when you get to certain levels and certain age groups, without a ref.
"We need them. They're part of the sport."
