The official shortage has been plaguing most sports at the youth and prep levels for quite some time. Last weekend, in Ronan, Mt., the Boys and Girls Club hosted a free training clinic to quell that shortage for basketball.
According to KBZK, attendees of the free clinic learned the basics of basketball officiating, and with the success of the first event, the Ronan Boys and Girls Club plans to host additional trainings in the future.
“We’re seeing a lot less officials come out,” said Rich Janssen, a member of the Montana Officials Association and volunteer at last weekend’s clinic. “It was a great opportunity for parents or even coaches who may not know a lot about officiating or the rules of basketball to come and learn.”
Related: NFHS Survey: Number of High School Officials Up 6% Over Last Year
The driving forces behind the referee shortage in Montana are similar to those across the country: unsportsmanlike conduct and unruly behavior from fans.
“I mean, unfortunately, we've seen a lot of changes going back 30 years, and we're seeing some unruly behavior from fans, from AAU to the pro-level, so that's just unfortunate," Janssen said.
For Janssen, his love of the game and commitment to helping youth athletes succeed are what keep him coming back despite the challenges of the job.
One attendee, Ruth Tuasivi is a youth basketball coach in Ronan, but she attended the officiating clinic to help her learn more about the job of officials and the gaps that need to be filled. Said Tuasivi, “It is important that the supporters see that these are not professional referees, it's a developmental program where we are developing new things. I never reffed in my life, but coming here to learn little bits and pieces helps me to learn new skills.”
