“I WAS CERTIFIED AND REFFED FOR THE FIRST TIME LAST YEAR. AT FIRST, IT WAS VERY INTIMIDATING.

WHAT I TAKE FROM BEING A REFEREE IS THE CONFIDENCE IT HAS GIVEN ME. TO MAKE A DECISION AND STICK WITH IT. I WAS ASKED TO VOLUNTEER FOR A GAME THAT DID NOT HAVE A FULL STAFF. IT WAS A BOYS U-12 GAME. AT ONE POINT I MADE A CALL AND THE CENTER REF WANTED TO MAKE A DIFFERENT CALL; HOWEVER, HE CAME UP TO ME ASKED WHAT I SAW AND ASKED TO EXPLAIN WHY I HAD MADE THE CALL. I DID AND HE THANKED ME AND STUCK WITH MY ORIGINAL CALL. IT WAS THERE THAT I REALIZED THAT IF I EXPLAIN AND I’M CONFIDENT IN WHAT I CALLED I CAN MAKE AN IMPACT.

I HAVE MORE CONFIDENCE NOW NOT ONLY ON THE FIELD BUT ALSO IN OTHER AREAS OF MY LIFE. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WILL STAY WITH ME FOREVER. I HAVE TAKEN THE INTERMEDIATE CLASS AND MY YOUNGER BROTHER IS WORKING ON GETTING CERTIFIED HIMSELF. I AM GOING TO MAKE SURE HE AND MY SISTER GET CERTIFIED, IT WILL HELP THEM MORE THAN THEY REALIZE.”