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The Lahontan Valley has been hearing the moans and groans of football and soccer players participating in their drills, and volleyball and tennis players running the lines and smacking that little white or yellow ball over the net.
At the high school track every afternoon, the cross country team has been running sprints and distances.
Meanwhile, the regional park is busy with youth soccer and football practice, and several Fallon Youth Football League teams perform their daily routine of blocking and tackling drills at the junior high school.
Yes, the sound of youth sports is here, but the whistles of the referees may not.
The director of officials for both Pop Warner and the Sierra Youth Football League said more referees are needed for their programs. Although several individuals have signed up from the Fallon and Fernley area, more refs are needed.
Chris Whitbeck has been scrambling, trying to find enough people interested in officiating youth football.
He said the final officials' clinic will be on Aug. 29 from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Washoe County Health Dept., in Reno. A field clinic is slated for the following day at 6 p.m. at Mira Loma Park east of the Reno airport.
Time is of the essence.
The season begins Aug. 26, and a big jamboree for Pop Warner kicks off Aug. 30 at Carson High School.
Whitbeck wants prospective referees to call him at 775-849-TEAM.
Whitbeck also said individuals who may have a financial hardship are still encouraged to call him.
One of the major reasons Whitbeck wants more referees in Fallon and Fernley is to cut down expenses for the leagues. He told me the respective leagues have to pay officials' mileage if they drive to the field from Reno or Carson City.
Forty cents a mile adds up in a hurry.
The need for officials has been widespread, even at the high school level. For months, Whitbeck and his board of directors sought more refs for football.
Football requires the largest number of officials since each game has at least four refs.
I haven't heard about shortages in volleyball and soccer, but during past seasons, each one of those leagues struggled to find enough officials.
Speaking of shortages ... several Greenwave teams have seen a decline in players.
The boys' soccer team didn't have as many players tryout this season. As a result, Athletic Director Brad Daum said if the varsity encounters injuries, then coach Nate Waite will move junior varsity players to the varsity level. In the past, he hasn't had to do this.
Also, the boys' tennis team has struggled to find players. Only six have been practicing daily.
The team practices every afternoon at 3:15 p.m.
Steve Ranson can be reached at sranson@lahontanvalleynews.com
At the high school track every afternoon, the cross country team has been running sprints and distances.
Meanwhile, the regional park is busy with youth soccer and football practice, and several Fallon Youth Football League teams perform their daily routine of blocking and tackling drills at the junior high school.
Yes, the sound of youth sports is here, but the whistles of the referees may not.
The director of officials for both Pop Warner and the Sierra Youth Football League said more referees are needed for their programs. Although several individuals have signed up from the Fallon and Fernley area, more refs are needed.
Chris Whitbeck has been scrambling, trying to find enough people interested in officiating youth football.
He said the final officials' clinic will be on Aug. 29 from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Washoe County Health Dept., in Reno. A field clinic is slated for the following day at 6 p.m. at Mira Loma Park east of the Reno airport.
Time is of the essence.
The season begins Aug. 26, and a big jamboree for Pop Warner kicks off Aug. 30 at Carson High School.
Whitbeck wants prospective referees to call him at 775-849-TEAM.
Whitbeck also said individuals who may have a financial hardship are still encouraged to call him.
One of the major reasons Whitbeck wants more referees in Fallon and Fernley is to cut down expenses for the leagues. He told me the respective leagues have to pay officials' mileage if they drive to the field from Reno or Carson City.
Forty cents a mile adds up in a hurry.
The need for officials has been widespread, even at the high school level. For months, Whitbeck and his board of directors sought more refs for football.
Football requires the largest number of officials since each game has at least four refs.
I haven't heard about shortages in volleyball and soccer, but during past seasons, each one of those leagues struggled to find enough officials.
Speaking of shortages ... several Greenwave teams have seen a decline in players.
The boys' soccer team didn't have as many players tryout this season. As a result, Athletic Director Brad Daum said if the varsity encounters injuries, then coach Nate Waite will move junior varsity players to the varsity level. In the past, he hasn't had to do this.
Also, the boys' tennis team has struggled to find players. Only six have been practicing daily.
The team practices every afternoon at 3:15 p.m.
Steve Ranson can be reached at sranson@lahontanvalleynews.com
