BS-Wednesday, April 23, 1980 - North Shore News es by Andy Fraser Among sports fans, talk of referees and game officials is somewhat akin to a group of people talking about the Vancouver weather. Generally gloomy, but with a hope for tomorrow. Ever since games were controlled by referees, there has been criticism of these intrepid souls who first put themselves behind the eight ball when they decided to dress themselves in black. Winnin The West Van Junior boys field hockey season started well for the club. Only one team out of six lost their game. Under 21 team played Surrey Huskys winning by 5-2. A pair of goals were scored by Richard Wilks with singles going to Mike Tanner, Don Snowden and Allen. The under 16 team had an even game against Blue Falcon with a score of 2-2. The goals were scored by Mark Clyde and David Many of the complaints are justified. Many more are not. Throughout time the referees have taken a bum rap for a lot of poor playing g start Snowden. One under 13 team had a postponed game and the other 13 and under team had a very exciting game against White Hawks with a 44 draw. The goals were scored by lan Snee with two, and singles to Bnan Fearcombe and Nigel Haigh. The under 10 Orcha team lost to Hawks Blue with a score of 1-2. The goal for West Van was scored by Faiz Ansari. Don’t knock the ref and coaching. It goes with the game. And with the fans. HEROES ARE PERFECT Heroes, by their nature, don’t, or can't make mistakes. Therefore it has to be someone elses fault. Ergo, the referee. or WV The second 10 and under team known as West Van Raven had a good win against Hawks White with a score of 2-0. The goals for West Van were scored by Blair Scobbie and Chad Alderson. There are still a few places in this junior team. Anyone interested should contact Az Ansari 985-4435 or Nick Milkovich 988-6839. However, having said that little bit, let’s take a few shots, not at the officials themselves, but at the league which sets them up on the firing line. It’s the same league that creates the situation where teams spend millions upon millions to create top flight competition, that refuses to admit the game officials need as much ‘professionalism’ as does the rest of the game. How can one expect top flight referees when these men aren't even doing it on a full time basis? And in the game of soccer, how can the league, or the fans for that matter, expect a referee, who has not been exposed to top flight soccer, to suddenly be thrown into the situation of having to make a snap judgement involving many of the famous names of the game who are helping make _the league a success? Both the Canadian Football League and the North American Soccer League employ part timers to referee their games. And both leagues suffer from the problem of officials causing slowdowns in the flow and pace of the matches. BEST THEY CAN The men in black are doing the best job they are capable of doing. Over the years, there have been few, if any, referees or game officials who deliberately ‘cheat’ as some of the more gullible fans would like to think. They put in many hours of work for a poor monetary rate to take a lot of bull from thousands of fans and players because they feel some obligation to be out there doing a job the rest of us wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole. It is a totally thankless job made more difficult by the lack of willingness of the league to improve the Situation. Millions are spent hoping to make the league a financial success, yet relatively little is spent on the game officials who will determine the pace and flow of the game. The NASL needs a few full time officials working with the others to develop. They need the opportunity of working in more competitive leagues than what are generally found in North America. Once they have this type of experience, and training, they will be of an 2qual calibre with any in the mayjonity of the world. However, as long as the league ignores the need to radically improve and upgrade the quality of SLEEPLESS NIGHTS? ...Over Your Tax Return... Let us be your sandman 6 a.m.-10 p.m. daily to April 30th Michael Deane Services 987-5171 training and experience for referees, we can look for- ward to much of the same as we nOW witness every Saturday night. Don’t’ knock the knock the league. ref, HOLLANDS AUTO REPAIR Tune-Ups Brakes Carburetion Exhaust system General maintenance Let me be your personal mechanic 830 W. 1st St. Just southeast of Wooico 988-5010 Marine Or Hollands W tst Our Customers’ Reactions To Their New Offices Didn’t Surprise Us! 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