Page 15 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 155

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #155 December 2025 15

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Mother and sons, Allison, Connor, Jordan Giroux,

Refereed Together at Long Sault Arena

By Christine Ouellet level below their own age group.
For instance, Connor, at 16, can
t was a premiere in our local hockey work games up to U15 and he also
Iarena: Allison Giroux and her two officiates girls’ hockey. Jordan can
sons, Connor, and Jordan, refereed referee games up to U13. Both boys
a U13 house league game together still play as well.
for the very first time on November Allison is on the bench for Jordan’s
22nd, when South Stormont faced
U15 team and serves as a backup
off against the other team at the Long for Connor’s U18 team; both play
Sault Arena.
for the Select Hockey team in Long
It was fantastic,” Allison said. Sault. She’s confident this won’t be
““My oldest son, 16-year-old the last time they share the ice as
Connor, was the head referee calling officials. “Connor and I are on the
the penalties, and my youngest, ice together fairly often, and now
14-year-old Jordan, worked the lines Jordan is getting more opportunities,
with me. This is Connor’s fifth year too. It’s great for them; it’s a great
as a referee and Jordan’s second. It job for kids who are passionate about
was the first time we had ever come hockey. They can take it with them to
together for a three-official game. university and later in life. A couple
Not too many moms can say they’ve of hours a week, they get exercise,
refereed with their kids. Once you have fun, and stay part of the game.”
get to U13, you have three officials
She says officiating has taught her
on the ice, and it was super cool that sons valuable life skills. “Growing
we all got to do it together.” up, they had to learn how to deal
Hockey runs deep in the Giroux
with controversy, problem-solve, and
family. They play it, coach it, and interact with adults and coaches on
wear the stripes to officiate it.
the bench. As a referee, you learn to
Both parents are heavily involved stay calm and focused, handle parents
in sports. Allison first got into yelling, manage kids’ behaviour on
officiating about a decade ago for
the ice, and really know your rule
the exercise and to stay connected to book. It’s taught them so much.” Photo Submitted
the game. “It’s pretty cool,” she said.
“I picked it up and really enjoyed it. Allison says she couldn’t stop
Now I do higher-level hockey like smiling throughout their first game
Elite Women’s, U22, and various together. “We were just excited to be see the same parents and players all ‘Wow, you’re out there with your
games in Ottawa and around town.” on the ice as a team. I really enjoyed the time, and you build relationships. two kids!’ They thought it was pretty
being out there with my two kids. You
As a rule, the boys can referee one People were coming up to us saying, cool.”