"For the benefit of your league's youth referees, and I ask that you pass on this message to them: On behalf of the district coaching program, I apologize to you for the conduct displayed during the incident by the coach involved.

I hope you realize that besides training referees, we are also training coaches, and we will find them making many mistakes, due to their lack of experience. They are learning not only how to coach the game but also respect for the referees and for the proper administration of a match.

Unfortunately the coach involved was not yet well-trained and has the lowest level coaching certificate [and an incomplete certificate to boot--something we will be correcting]. The league involved is working hard to increase the training of its coaches, and assisting the referees in the administration of the matches is an area that will get a lot of attention because of the incident.

I am sorry that you had to be part of that "training." You will find in your life that often ignorance leads to conduct such as the disrespect you had to experience and I hope you will understand that even though that coach was an adult, he still needed to improve. If you can help improve him even slightly, you will make the world a better place.

Thank you for being a youth referee. Thank you for everything you do for the game and for our youth. I hope you will go on having fun with the game.

Best wishes to you all.

Ray Erlach, District Coaching Director.