Green Armband Initiative

The Greater Petawawa Referee Association is excited to announce that Hockey Eastern Ontario is implementing the Green Armband Initiative starting in the 2021-22 Season. This initiative will have all HEO officials under the age of 18 wear a green armband on their left arm as part of their uniform on the ice. The armband and accompanying education materials are designed to bring attention to the age of the official to change the culture around abuse and harassment of officials. This initiative started in the Montreal baseball program, moved to their hockey program in January 2020 and HEO is the first Hockey Canada region to fully implement it. This green armband is not a reflection or comment on the young official's skill level. In fact, they'll be required to wear one whether it's a House League game or U15 AA finals game.

 

Roughly 40% of our officials in Petawawa (and across HEO) are under the age of 18, and HEO statistics show 33% of new officials don't return for a 2nd year. After year 2, we lose another 17%, and a total of 65% of those young officials aren't putting on the stripes after their 3rd year. One of the main reasons cited for quitting officiating is the abuse they receive at the rink from adult parents, coaches and team officials. In the 2019-2020 season, 595 penalties were assessed across HEO for the infractions listed below towards officials.

 

Although the main focus is education, this initiative will have some disciplinary changes that are important to note. Any supplementary discipline for team officials assessed a penalty involving an official with a green armband will be doubled. This includes Game Misconducts under Rule 9.2, Gross Misconducts under Rule 9.2F and 4.7B as well as Match Penalties under Rule 9.6. This change is only for team officials, players WILL NOT have their supplementary discipline increase under this initiative.

 

Please do not hesitate to contact me if there any questions.

 

Cheers,

Chris Misztal

Petawawa Referee in Chief