Prince George’s Grace Barlow had a day to remember after being named Official of the Year at the 58th Annual Sport BC Athlete of the Year awards.
The awards ceremony took place on Thursday, where she was nominated alongside an umpire with Softball Canada, and a referee with FIFA.
After ten years of officiating, Barlow said she didn’t expect to go as far as she has.
“It became a really great outlet for me to stay competitive in hockey and to stay active, and to make a little extra money as a part time job while I was in University.
“I was just taking it easy and enjoying myself, and luckily I had some really great officiating coaches and BC Hockey and Hockey Canada see me, and saw something in me, and now I’m in a position I never thought I’d be in.”
In those ten years, Barlow has been a referee in the PWHL, USports and IIHF, and is currently in Vancouver with the Pacific Junior Hockey League.
Barlow said the biggest thing she’s learned by being a referee is what she’s capable of taking on, while growing a thick skin.
She encourages anyone curious about becoming a referee to try it out, and talk to the local Referee in Chief to see what it’s like and how to get started, adding it’s an amazing job to take when becoming a better communicator and athlete.
The Duchess Park Senior Boys Volleyball team was also named the Team of the Year at the award ceremony.
The full list of award categories and nominees can be found here.
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