Ice Hockey UK is excited to be part of the IIHF’s launch of Officially Cool – a campaign aimed to drive awareness, interest and greater understanding of the roles of game officials.
The initiative, which will support the 83 Member National Associations (MNAs) in recruitment opportunities around the world, is part of the IIHF’s Strategic Plan called ICE26.
Ice hockey is one of the fastest team sports in the world where game officials are at the heart of the action.
The MNAs – including Ice Hockey UK – recruit, educate and develop game officials to the point where they can be selected by the IIHF to officiate on the worldwide stage.
UK officials Liam Sewell and Amy Prior both officiated at top-level World Championship tournaments this year.
Sewell worked at the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Finland and Latvia and took charge of the bronze-medal game between USA and Latvia in Tampere.
Prior was part of the officiating team for the IIHF Women’s World Championship in Brampton, Canada.
IHUK Referee-in-Chief, Colin Davidson, said: “Working in tandem with the IIHF campaign gives us global exposure.
“It shows that we have a first-class programme here in the UK producing officials that hold their own within the IIHF.
“Officially Cool will help us with recruitment and highlight the fact that it is a great way to be involved in the sport, make great friends and be able to travel the world.”
You can find out more about being an official in the UK by visiting the Ice Hockey UK Referee Section website and you can request further information by emailing managers@ihukreferee.co.uk.
Click here to read more about Officially Cool on the IIHF website.