If youSA国际影视传媒檝e ever competed at a speedskating meet in Yellowknife, thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a better-than-good chance youSA国际影视传媒檝e seen Robin Greig or David Gilday on the ice as officials in some capacity.

Sometimes, theySA国际影视传媒檝e even officiated together.

Regardless, the veteran officials will have some national duties this season after Speed Skating Canada released its list of assignments late last month for its sanctioned meets. Both will be in Calgary in early November for the first Canada Cup event at the Olympic Oval. Greig will work a second event in March 2022: the Canada West Championship in Selkirk, Man.

Greig said itSA国际影视传媒檚 always an honour to be chosen to work at the national level.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 very fortunate because there so many officials they could choose from,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Greig will be working as the first assistant referee to the chief referee while Gilday will be working as the second assistant in Calgary.

Gilday said there isnSA国际影视传媒檛 much difference in what the assistants do.

SA国际影视传媒淭he easiest way to put it is the chief referee tells you what youSA国际影视传媒檙e doing while youSA国际影视传媒檙e on the ice,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淵ou get told to work one end of the ice and the other assistant works the other. You blow the whistle to stop a race, youSA国际影视传媒檙e making sure the pucks (corner markers) are in place. Basically, youSA国际影视传媒檙e being directed by the chief referee on everything.SA国际影视传媒�

If there is a difference, Gilday said the first assistant deals more with the coaches and explains a lot of whatSA国际影视传媒檚 going on.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 important to be friendly, to let them know that theySA国际影视传媒檙e dealing with a human,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 how ISA国际影视传媒檝e always gone about it because we are human. You need to be fair and you need to be composed because you know the athletesSA国际影视传媒� nerves are already a wreck so you need to be willing to talk things out.SA国际影视传媒�

Greig said the first assistant is also responsible for taking over if the chief referee runs into difficulty and canSA国际影视传媒檛 carry on.

SA国际影视传媒淚f the chief referee has to leave for any reason, youSA国际影视传媒檙e the one who assumes that role,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淵ouSA国际影视传媒檙e also there to help make decisions if youSA国际影视传媒檙e called upon. YouSA国际影视传媒檙e watching the races and if thereSA国际影视传媒檚 the need to make a call, you consult with the chief referee on it. If you all saw the same thing, then thatSA国际影视传媒檚 the call.SA国际影视传媒�

GreigSA国际影视传媒檚 assignment in Manitoba will see him serve as the chief referee for that meet and he said thatSA国际影视传媒檚 where heSA国际影视传媒檒l have to demonstrate that he has a handle on things.

SA国际影视传媒淵ou have to show confidence and competency when youSA国际影视传媒檙e in that position,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淵ou have to be able to make the call, sometimes tough ones, and do it quickly.SA国际影视传媒�

While the job calls for confidence, Gilday said thereSA国际影视传媒檚 one thing every official needs to remember: SA国际影视传媒淵ou arenSA国际影视传媒檛 there to be the show,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淣o oneSA国际影视传媒檚 there to watch you and a good official will let the skaters decide things. ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 no need to go making a call to let everyone know youSA国际影视传媒檙e there. The best official is one thatSA国际影视传媒檚 invisible.SA国际影视传媒�

As it stands, Speed Skating Canada is moving ahead with its full schedule of events with no cancellations or postponements to date due to Covid-19.

Greig said when he and Gilday work in Calgary, they will be following whatever protocol is in place at the University of Calgary, which operates the Olympic Oval.

SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 the rules about masking and hand-washing and we have to show proof of vaccination, so no different than a lot of other events,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淪peed Skating Canada always makes the final call on whether a meet goes ahead but officials also have the choice to opt out if they donSA国际影视传媒檛 feel safe.SA国际影视传媒�