One Thousand

In March of 2000, I became a certified soccer referee. I started out doing little kids games and then older kids and adults and high school games.

Recently, I refereed my 1,000th soccer match. Some have been as referee (center) and some have been as assistant referee (linesman).

I have kept track of my games from the start to make sure that I get paid correctly and also to make sure that I pay my taxes properly.

The game itself wasn't all that special. A mid division, girls premier, under 15 match. I was the referee. Thirty five minute halves. No cards, no real problems, score of 6-1. There were a couple of areas that I could improve on.

This has caused me to reflect a bit.

You see, hitting 1,000 games made me realize how big a mile stone that is. A hundred games came and went without notice. Same with 500.

But a thousand, why that is four digit territory! It means about fifteen hundred hours on the pitch. It means a lot of weekends and evenings in the sun, rain, wind, snow, clouds and temps from 15 degrees to over 100. It means over three thousand miles running and countless bottles of water.

It meant reffing with my daughter and son. A true highlight even if neither still refs.

It is constant learning and trying to improve. I now referee totally differently than I did ten years ago. While some coaches, players and parents might think otherwise, I think that I do a pretty good job.

There are a lot of people who don't referee this long. I know of some guys who have passed on and many kids who didn't like the constant criticism. I think I have a thicker skin now. I realize just how ignorant most coaches and especially parents are of the game. Most kids playing the game never hit a thousand games played.

So what does it all mean? In the long run, not much.

But I am proud of it...

Back

I was reminded recently that I need to post some new items. And so I shall.

My excuse is that I have been busy beyond belief. But that is just that: an excuse.

So I shall endeavour to be more regular from here on out.