Interior Officials Report

In response to the October 3, 2009 Executive meeting, I am preparing this report to illustrate the

status of what is occurring in the Interior as to officiating.

In general all seems well. The Kamloops region of officials appears to have an adequate number of officials, including two new quality recruits. From an education and commitment standpoint we appear to be having a very good season. Aside from the local games we are assisting in covering games in Salmon Arm, Vernon, and occasionally in Kelowna and Penticton. Other than the games themselves, a highlight of our organization tends to be our weekly meeting where we tend to go over situations that have occurred and also share experiences from previous games.

Vernon and Salmon Arm evidently have a few new younger officials, who tend to work the Canadian youth football games, while the senior officials tend to also do local high school and BCFC games.

Kelowna is also enjoying a good year with the exception that sometimes work commitments and some injuries to officials has made some scheduling difficult at times. A side issue is the problem of providing officials in Penticton, where there is a shortage of qualified officials. This issue will have to be resolved in the near future as it is causing a personnel and dollar strain in terms of providing adequate coverage.

Field issues remain a concern in a couple of locales, especially Valleyview and Penticton. Valleyview has cooperated and we have moved to their upper field -but marking of the field and end zone marking still remain an issue. Penticton, I understand only has a 90 yard field, and since I have not been there, I do not fully understand the issue and the solution.

The Interior has requested to the Executive that an effort be made to integrated officiating crews from the Interior and the Coast for high school Play-off games. Aside from creating camaraderie amongst officials of all areas, this is an valuable learning experience, as each locale has slightly different mechanics, etc. that we should try to eliminate so that we will have official's consistency throughout the province. Speaking from my own experience, I feel that this is a valuable exercise because it gives one the opportunity to meet other colleagues- but to take advantage of their considerable expertise.

Education of new and existing officials must become a priority in my opinion. The game is becoming increasingly complex with the sophistication of the coaches and the way the game itself is being played. New situations of rules interpretations and scenarios are greeting us daily in our games. Group mechanics and individual mechanics appear to be changing as well. Visiting teams must feel assured that wherever they play, the rules will be enforced and applied equitably. In order for this to happen, we must ensure that all members are able to access and receive yearly training. This is a monetary and time-consuming burden- however I feel it is absolutely necessary- especially in recruiting and training younger officials. Too often we rely on game experience to mold an official, when in fact it must be a nurturing experience in order for that official to feel comfortable and grow into his/her role. I look forward to the Executive's leadership in addressing this issue.

Finally, the Kamloops school district appears to be in the process of reconfiguring it's secondary schools. All appearances suggest the creation of two high schools only- South Kam and Norkam.

Other present high schools (two without football at present), would become Junior Secondaries.

This is not a fait d'accompli however. Many things may change- or there may be no change at all

Once again, thank you for the opportunity of allowing me to put forth my assessment of the present situation and also the concerns in our area. If I have misconstrued, or have left something out- I do apologize and will rectify if it is brought to my attention.

Rick Nykorak Oct. 3, 2009

Interior Officials Representative BCFOA