Dozens of teenaged hockey officials gathered in Osoyoos last week to participate in the annual BC Hockey Summer Officiating School. (Vanessa Broadbent / Osoyoos Times)

By Vanessa Broadbent

Osoyoos Times

Dozens of teenagers gathered in Osoyoos last week for summer camp but it wasn’t all lake time and sunshine. Instead, 64 aspiring hockey officials, aged 12 to 17, hit the ice at Sun Bowl Arena to hone their officiating skills at BC Hockey’s annual Summer Officiating School.

From Aug. 3 to 7, participants split their time between the arena and the Sonora Community Centre, learning from officials across B.C.

“It’s a fun week of learning for teenage officials that come from all over the province, some year after year,” BC Hockey Officiating Coordinator Cole Cooke said.

In five long days starting at 8 a.m. and ending at 10 p.m., participants hit the ice to better their physical techniques, paired with classroom instruction.

“There’s a lot of conversation around what it takes to become a better official and serve the game properly and whatnot,” Cooke said.

This year the camp sold out faster than ever and by the end of April all spots were claimed.

Most participants have played, or currently play, hockey, Cooke said.

“A lot are currently still playing but once you get into that maybe 17 to 18 age when minor hockey starts to dip off, a lot of people will take reffing a bit more seriously.”

For Ben Doucet from Coquitlam, officiating was a way to earn cash and still spend time at the rink.

“When I was about 12 years old I really wanted to make some money and I really love hockey so I thought what better job than reffing hockey,” the 16-year-old said. “It was a little bit of both: hockey and money.”

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He praised the instructors for their knowledge and approachability.

“I feel like I learn a lot at this camp and the instructors are great. We just learn so much from them and you can ask so many questions and they’ll answer you. They’re the best.”

Burnaby resident Emme Drago, 16, was one of eight female officials participating in the camp.

“I started because my dad was very into hockey and we’re a hockey family and he heard about officiating,” she said. “He put me into it when I was younger.”

However, Drago said she didn’t enjoy officiating until last year when she attended the camp for the first time.

“I had such a better understanding of the game and everything to do with it and how to be a good official. I just saw a complete change in where I was going and more opportunities and everything.”

Dozens of teenaged hockey officials gathered in Osoyoos last week to participate in the annual BC Hockey Summer Officiating School. (Vanessa Broadbent / Osoyoos Times)

On the last day of the camp the students completed the Hockey Canada officiating program exam, certifying them to officiate for the upcoming season.

Officials are required to complete the exam every season, and Cooke said many do so at the camp every year.

“There’s some kids that come to this four or five years in a row,” he said. “It works out perfect for them; they don’t have to go to a clinic in the fall.”

But it’s also the camaraderie that keeps kids returning.

“In this environment we find a lot of them make life long friends,” Cooke said.

Doucette has plans to keep officiating in his future, and to return next year for the last camp he’ll be eligible to attend.

“It’s just hanging out with my friends and doing what we love – refereeing.”