The pandemic and the threatening work environment have been identified as the main reasons for the referee’s flight in Swedish hockey. Now the union wants to see efforts to reverse the trend.
The whole hockey family should help, says David Bergman, refereeing director for the Swedish Ice Hockey Federation.
Development has pointed in the wrong direction for several years, but the outcome of this epidemic has accelerated. When sequential play ceased in 2020, many governors, especially at the district level, moved to other part-time jobs.
As things started to return to normal, it became clear that the lack of referees had become a major problem in the lower divisions and youth hockey.
– In addition to the matches being canceled, the current referees have to rule more and consume faster. David Bergman says the quality is generally worse because we don’t have the same competitive position.
Threats and insults
In addition to the pandemic, he points to the judges’ work environment as the biggest factor.
In a 2015 survey conducted by the Hockey Association and the Friends Foundation, four out of ten referees who responded reported feeling anxious about being subjected to violence, threats of violence, or insults before a game.
David Bergman believes that in recent years, the climate has become stiffer in the lower divisions and in youth hockey, something he believes is contributing to the premature departure of young referees from the profession.
We’re losing judges who may have risen to a higher level in the system, but feel that’s not something I want to be a part of. This is part of the problem. We have to be honest in saying that.
He does not want to compare the situation to a crisis. The majority of matches can be played, and there is no shortage of referees in the top divisions. But it all depends on the judges who climb through the chaining system, gain experience and the best to reach the top.
Competition is important
– Without a competitive mode, the referees that reach the top leagues will not be good, so hockey will not be good. If we don’t address the problem and work to solve it on a broad front from now on, there is a risk that we will end up in a crisis situation, says David Bergman.
To reverse this trend, the Hockey Association is investing an additional half a million kronor in refereeing activities for each region to fill the void. At the same time, you want to see everyone doing their part.
It is important that we make our investments from a central point, but the whole hockey family has to help and realize that if we get more referees at our level we will help hockey in general. I also think the associations are starting to understand how important that is.