1/2 Match supervisor Pauline Stekelenburg greets the referee. (Photo: Leon Voskamp)
It is a problem at almost every sports park. Screaming parents on the sidelines or trainers and players commenting on the referee. The Eindhoven hockey club Oranje-Rood is fed up with the sometimes harsh criticism of arbitration and has started the campaign ‘Hold back a bit’. Chairman Pieter Janssen: “We do not want to look away and do something about behavior that is not appropriate on the field.”
In recent years, there have been several incidents at Oranje-Rood in which young referees were verbally attacked. “You have to imagine that it is quite exciting for many youth members to referee a match. They don’t make a mistake on purpose. But if adults then wish you everything, you understand what an enormous impact that has,” says Max Pierey of the Sportsmanship and Respect Committee.
“Every tear is one too many.”
Chairman Pieter Janssen wants to prevent youth members from quitting due to unpleasant events. “It’s terrible that someone does their best, but then can’t sleep at night because of emotions. Every tear is one too many. As a club we cannot accept this. You can talk a lot about norms and values, but as the largest sports association in the South of the Netherlands, we want to make the measures visible.”
From this weekend onwards, at every youth competition over the age of 12, a parent will be appointed who will take on the role of competition supervisor. Max: “It’s not a police officer, but see it as support for the referee. The supervisor with a green vest first introduces himself to the referee and then to the coaches. It emphasizes that sportsmanship and respect are paramount.”
“Then the supervisor mingles with the audience. If something unpleasant is said, you can speak to that person. We have noticed from a trial in recent months that the presence of competition supervisors is appreciated. The big goal is to improve the entire atmosphere surrounding competitions.”
“Something was even thrown on the field.”
Tessel Wedler (17) regularly referees a match and is happy with the efforts of ‘the green vests’. “I have experienced being shouted at loudly by coaches or parents. During a championship game, something was even thrown onto the field. They may also be small comments, but that does something to your confidence.”
“I can hold my own, but I know peers who have suffered a lot from this,” says De Waalrese. “It’s really not an easy job as a referee, because you want to do the best you can for the players and spectators. The use of a competition supervisor gives you a little more confidence. You are not alone.”
Pauline Stekelenburg is the competition supervisor this Saturday and is positive. “All the parents I know are very supportive of the club. Something has happened, it is good to share it. Because it is important that we all do something about this. It is strong that Oranje-Rood takes its responsibility.”
“As a hockey club we should not be arrogant.”
The chairman of Oranje-Rood hopes that the campaign will spread like wildfire throughout the rest of the Netherlands. “We should not be arrogant and think that it does not occur in our sport. I have received so many responses and I can conclude that it is happening everywhere. The changing society is becoming increasingly assertive. Within Oranje-Rood we must ensure that members feel safe.”
