💎 3 Gems from Episode 52 | Brenda Hilton: Restoring Respect for Game Officials with Officially Human

[Simon MacKenzie]

In this episode of "For The Love of Sport," we sit down with Brenda Hilton, the driving force behind Officially Human, an organization dedicated to restoring respect for game officials at all levels. Brenda shares her journey and the challenges officials face, emphasizing the importance of empathy, proper treatment, and the need for a cultural shift in sports.

• ❤️Empathy is Essential: Understand that officials are human beings with their own lives, challenges, and emotions. A culture of empathy and respect towards officials can significantly improve their experience and retention.

• 📚 Education and Communication: Implement programs like Officially Human’s "Elevate Respect" course to train coaches, parents, and athletes to respect officials and understand their role in sports.

• 🏔️ Lead by Example from the Top: Prioritize respect for officials by setting a positive example from leadership. This includes creating policies that support officials, encouraging positive spectator behavior, and addressing issues of mistreatment promptly and effectively.