Preparation for professional ice hockey referees has commenced in Omsk.
It's On in Omsk: Hockey Referee School kicks off thanks to Omsk NPZ and Avangard
Game on, refs! Omsk, Russia has a new training ground for ice hockey referees, and it's all thanks to the Omsk Regional Oil Company (Omsk NPZ) and the Avangard Academy. The inaugural class is made up of 100 participants, both amateur and professional athletes, who'll spend the next two months mastering the art of officiating under the guidance of experienced mentors.
The training takes place at the Avangard Academy, where aspiring referees will earn the qualifications to work regional tournaments, KHL matches, and international competitions. This project is part of the "Hockey for All" initiative, now in its third year with Omsk NPZ's support through the social investments program "Home Towns" by Gazprom Neft.
Mikhail Lavrikov, President of the Omsk Regional Ice Hockey Federation, spoke highly of the school's opening, noting a growing need for qualified referees:
"With the increasing number of competitions under the "Hockey for All" project, the question of high-quality referee companionship became critical. Our region faces a shortage of ice hockey referees, and this new school will help address this issue not only in the Omsk region but also partially in neighboring regions."
Oleg Belavskiy, General Director of Omsk NPZ, added: "Refereeing offers a chance to stick with hockey in a new role, to continue your career after retiring from active play."
For those unaware, Omsk NPZ has been systematically backing the growth of amateur hockey in the region. In 2023, the company helped revive the Omsk Regional Children's Championship for ice hockey, formed a women's team called "Omsk Rocket," and expanded the student ice hockey league. The "Hockey for All" project brings together over 10,000 athletes of all ages and skill levels, making the sport accessible for everyone in the region. The opening of the referee school is a natural extension of this work, focusing on comprehensive development of hockey in Omsk.
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Tags: Society, Omsk NPZ, Oleg Belavskiy, Mikhail Lavrikov
1 Kovalchuk's playing career and international tournament history2 Official Russian Ice Hockey Federation website3 Omsk Regional Hockey Center website
- In response to the rising number of competitions under the "Hockey for All" initiative, the Omsk Regional Ice Hockey Federation highlighted a pressing need for high-quality referee companionship due to a shortage of ice hockey referees.
- The new ice hockey referee school, launched in Omsk, Russia, is aimed at addressing the regional shortage of referees and potentially helping neighboring regions as well.
- The inaugural class of 100 participants at the school, consisting of both amateur and professional athletes, will spend the next two months mastering the art of officiating under the guidance of experienced mentors.
- The opening of the referee school is seen as a natural extension of Omsk NPZ's commitment to comprehensive development of hockey in the region, which includes supporting amateur hockey growth and making the sport accessible to everyone.
