Fairfield High School Hosts Third Annual Junior Referee Clinic to Combat Referee Shortage
FAIRFIELD — On Saturday, Fairfield High School proudly hosted its third annual junior referee clinic, aimed at nurturing the next generation of sports officials amid a significant statewide referee shortage. Eagles athletic director Mike Schmidt, a key organizer, emphasized the urgent need for new referees, stating, “There’s such a shortage of refs, we’ve got to do something.”
The clinic successfully engaged 36 students from fifth to twelfth grade, who learned essential basketball officiating skills. Schmidt remarked, “This bodes well for improving the number of officials,” adding plans to expand training into football and volleyball, where shortages are also prevalent.
A pivotal aspect of the event was the involvement of 12 seasoned mentors from the Montana Officials Association. One mentor, Bo Scott, reflecting on the experience, noted the transformation of the students from nervous to excited as they practiced officiating with enthusiasm. “It’s humbling to see them run up and down the court with smiles,” Scott shared.
Feedback from the attendees highlighted the impact of the mentors. Senior Bryce Hooper praised their expertise, stating, “They know exactly what they’re talking about, and it’s best to learn from the best.” Junior Aundra Passmore found the mentors to be “super cool and funny,” while junior Kyla Cooley appreciated their teaching methods, saying, “They explain stuff so much better and it’s really fun.”
Eighth-grader Ryan Mathison expressed gratitude for the mentors’ presence, emphasizing the importance of experienced guidance. Fellow eighth-grader Cameron Keel and fifth-grader Conley Dahl echoed similar sentiments, recognizing that learning from seasoned referees is more beneficial than relying solely on rulebooks.
As the junior referee clinic demonstrated, fostering youth participation in officiating sports is a crucial step toward addressing the ongoing referee shortage.
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