What if you ARE enough?
In my nearly 20 years of refereeing, the narrative in my head has been "you're not tough enough, your decisions aren't consistent enough, you're not fit enough...etc. etc. etc."
I've been to provincial and national tournaments and camps. I've learned from and trained with some of the most amazing people (both in regards to their athleticism and their kindness/attitude). I've watched people a decade younger than me commit to refereeing in a way I don't think I had the confidence to when I was their age. Through this slow and steady burn of my development, the constant narrative has continued "you're not young enough, you're not good enough, you're not enough."
I got appointed as an assistant referee in the gold medal match at the Canadian College Championships this past weekend. I think it's the first time in 20 years, where I stopped, and really thought for a second, "wait a minute, is it possible I AM enough?" <- notice the question mark still lol.
Here's the thing...In my mind, the idea of getting appointed to the gold medal match at a National tournament as an assistant referee was like...reaching the summit of Mt. Everest. Something I didn't know if I could reach, but that I kept climbing toward despite all the ups and downs over the years. But here's the thing, a few days post match and I'm realizing...it's not about the medal match, it's not about summiting the mountain...as cheesy as it sounds, it's genuinely about the climb. I debated even posting this because a small part of my mind is still saying "this isn't worthy enough, you post too much, no one cares enough" but deep down I know this is important, because I know I'm not the only one climbing.
For context, if you don't know the world of refereeing, it can be pretty intense and not much different than being a player at an elite level. There's constant training (both physical and in law/decision making), self-analysis, teamwork/team building, coaching and assessing...it can be a challenge to keep up, but many of the people involved in refereeing are also some of the most supportive, wonderful humans you'll ever meet.
It's not about the gold medal game. Why? Because when I focus on the climb and not the summit, I realize this wild, emotional, challenging, exciting journey of a climb is what's been enabling me to slowly change my narrative and to say, I AM enough (tough enough, fit enough, consistent enough, committed enough, coachable enough).
Whether you're climbing your way to a career goal, sporting goal, leadership goal, I challenge you to reflect...how is the climb changing you?
https://lnkd.in/gHTz7g8b
I am grateful to Ontario Soccer and Canada Soccer and dedicated mentors, coaches, assessors, and colleagues who show up for female referees. Who care about development and who recognize not everyone climbing the mountain will do so in the same way, on the same timeframe, or at the same age.
Coordinator of EU Programme ERASMUS + Project ICE RINKS FOR ALL at EUROHA
1moI am wondered why till this time all are talking only about “ regular hockey”? We founded European Oldtimers Hocky Association EUROHA after meeting with CARHA Authorities on 2012 , on 2014 in Riga for EUROHA Cup “ Amber Cup Riga” . 76 Oldtimer teams from 14 Countries participate with more than 1000 players in 320 games for 6 days. On 2018 same EUROHA Cup was in Sochi , but for political events some countries boikoted . EUROHA participated in EU programm ERASMUS + “ Ice Rinks For All” but REXIT and Ukraina War canceled all events. We must restart our Oldtimer Division and why not with You? We are redy for it and what about You? Normunds Kupcis EUROHA President