Referee Shortage Is Affecting Youth Sports

When it comes down to it, many referees are amateurs who are held to a professional standard.

We’ve all been there. Whether it’s watching the Super Bowl at home, or catching an NBA game from the nosebleed seats, or sitting behind the first-base bleachers at a Little League game — we’ve all disagreed with a referee’s call. And in a heated moment, we may have even aimed some not-so-nice comments at the referee.

After all, the competitive nature of sports tends to get everyone’s adrenaline flowing, and it’s easy to get lost in the moment.

Unfortunately, recent research shows that passionate spectators may be negatively impacting youth sports leagues. Specifically, referees are quitting at an alarming rate, largely due to verbal abuse from parents and coaches. According to the Washington Post, the National Federation of State High School Associations reports that only about two out of 10 officials keep officiating after two years. Additionally, Deadspin reports that this shortage is happening during a time when Title IX policies have helped participation in youth sports double from about 4 million to about 8 million.

While the problem may be most prevalent in adult recreation leagues, issues have definitely become common in typical youth sports leagues. Some spectators feel that if they’ve paid league fees for their child, they’re entitled to say whatever they want during the game. Others may be frustrated that the referees officiating games are not experienced. Whatever the case, lashing out at referees sets a poor example for participating kids, negatively impacts youth sports as a whole, and can have adverse effects for young athletes down the road.  

In fact, problems at the youth sports level could impact kids’ chances of getting recruited to college programs down the line. The issue is that a hostile environment for referees can result in fewer opportunities for kids to play organized sports at a critical stage in their development. When referees quit, that leads to game cancellations and decreased playing time for kids. Also, if remaining referees demand more money during a shortage, those costs are eventually passed on to parents, which can lead some families to pull back from playing in sports leagues. Or, remaining referees may not be as experienced, which leads to poorly officiated games. It’s a cyclical effect, and it’s simply not the best way to groom athletes who are looking to be successful down the line.

When it comes down to it, many referees are amateurs who are held to a professional standard. They often leave their day jobs to travel to games and work for low pay, instead of spending free time with their significant others and families. Perhaps the most important lesson to remember from this current trend is that sports are a great way to prepare for life, and not the other way around. Competing is a learning experience, and sympathy can be taught on the field just as well as off of it. Parents can always lead by example, help band together to clamp down on unruly spectators, and even volunteer to referee when an opportunity presents itself.

By taking a proactive approach, we can all contribute to a more supportive playing environment, and make sure our youth sports leagues continue to flourish and produce athletes who have long-term success.