Body cams on soccer referees to deter abuse from parents and coaches

Guest: Kerry Gillespie, sports reporter

Ontario Soccer is launching a pilot project this summer that will see some referees wearing body cams to record and deter abuse. What is surprising is that this isn’t happening at the professional or adult levels, but starting with the under 9 and 11 age groups. Many sports are facing a shortage of people wanting to officiate matches and one of the biggest reasons cited is the taunting and abuse referees take from parents, spectators and coaches. Is this a way to change the culture around treatment of officials?

This episode was produced by Alexis Green, Paulo Marques and Raju Mudhar.