Ben has been a youth soccer referee since 1974, and much to our dismay, the state of sportsmanship from players, parents, and coaches is hitting a really rough patch. Earlier this year the Washington Post ran an article stating that verbal abuse is causing a referee shortage in local youth sports.
Ben has been a youth soccer referee since 1974, and much to our dismay, the state of sportsmanship from players, parents, and coaches is hitting a really rough patch. Earlier this year the Washington Post ran an article stating that verbal abuse is causing a referee shortage in local youth sports.Ben aims to fight back against this trend by awarding local high schools with up to $1000 ($500 each for the boys’ and girls’ varsity teams) if they can make it through the spring season with ZERO yellow or red cards for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Here are the schools that are eligible: Dominion HS, Heritage HS, Loudoun County HS, Loudoun Valley HS, Parkview HS, Riverside HS, Woodgrove HS, Brentsville HS, Manassas Park HS, Fauqier HS, Kettlerun HS, Liberty HS, Brooke Point HS, Colonial Forge HS, Massaponax HS, and Mountain View HS, North Stafford HS, Stafford HS, Riverbend HS, Briarwoods HS, Broad Run HS, John Champe HS, Freedom- Loudoun County HS, Potomac Falls HS, Rock Ridge HS, Stone Bridge HS, Tuscarora HS, Colgan HS, Forest Park HS, Freedom-Prince William HS, Gar-Field HS, Hylton HS, Woodbridge HS, Potomac HS, Battlefield HS, Stonewall Jackson HS, Osbourn HS, Osbourn Park HS, and Patriot HS.
If your school is on the list, definitely reach out and encourage them to take part. Youth athletics should be about healthy competition, not dissent and name-calling.
It’s not just about setting a good example for our kids. It’s showing them that good behavior is rewarded in the real world and that treating each other with respect is a cornerstone of our society. It would be a real shame for the referee shortage in our community to continue for such a petty and childish reason.
The BenGlassLaw Varsity Soccer Sportsmanship Challenge is a positive way to fight for sportsmanship here in Virginia, and we’re proud to put our money where our mouth is this season.
