Among all of the hustle and bustle of the Western Canada Summer Games in Swift Current, Sask., it's easy to forget that there are officials who make sure the contests happen in a fair and impartial manner.

After all, officials know they're doing their job if people forget they're even there to begin with.

Nick Rivet was one of those who did just that earlier this week and made some history along the way.

Rivet became the first-ever soccer official from the NWT to adjudicate on-field at the Games, taking charge of several games as a centre official.

He said it all happened courtesy of the organizing committee.

SA国际影视传媒淭hey reached out to us (NWT Soccer) and to Yukon to see if we could provide any officials,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淵ukon didn't have anyone, unfortunately, but I was able to put my name forward and there I went.SA国际影视传媒�

Soccer officials need to be certified at the regional level, at the minimum, in order to be considered, which is the level Rivet is at currently, though he did use the Games as a chance to move up.

SA国际影视传媒淚'm in the process of becoming a provincial official, which is the next level above regional,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Needless to say, the level of soccer in Swift Current was much higher than Rivet had officiated before but he said that was to be expected.

SA国际影视传媒淗ere in Yellowknife, we have recreational league games and the Arctic Winter Games, which is futsal,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淵ou can't really compare futsal with the outdoor game and the league in Yellowknife is nine-a-side. The games in Swift Current were full-field, 11-a-side, and it's quick. You have to be fast and you have to be in position at all times.SA国际影视传媒�

There were very few blowout games in either the boys or girls divisions and that meant Rivet had to be on top of his game the first time, every time, especially considering there were no playoff games to determine the medal winners, he said.

SA国际影视传媒淪tandings mattered so I had to be ready for anything,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭here are some bad habits you can develop doing rec league here at home but when you go down there, you're part of a crew and everyone has to work together.SA国际影视传媒�

That crew included two assistant referees (AR) on the sidelines (touch) and a fourth official, who handles substitutions and timekeeping, among other things.

SA国际影视传媒淵ou have to pay attention to your AR's more,SA国际影视传媒� said Rivet. SA国际影视传媒淭hat's something you have to get used to because it's fast and you may be out of position and the AR may have had a better view than you did on a ruling.SA国际影视传媒�

The one thing Rivet had to endure was plenty of running, a lot more than what he's used to in Yellowknife especially in his game between Alberta and Yukon on the boys side.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think I did the beep test twice in that game,SA国际影视传媒� he said with a chuckle. SA国际影视传媒淚t's definitely a lot more running and your fitness needs to be at its peak. It's non-stop running and I think I did alright although there are areas where I know I can improve.SA国际影视传媒�

Rami Ayache, NWT Soccer's executive director, said it was a surprise when he found out Rivet had been chosen to work in Swift Current but it's encouraging for the future of officiating in the NWT.

SA国际影视传媒淚t shows we're following the national guidelines and (NWT Soccer) is going in the direction it should be,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚t's not just local anymore. We have the opportunity now to be on the national stage and having Nick there shows the younger referees where they can go.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淚 had a great time there,SA国际影视传媒� said Rivet. SA国际影视传媒淚t was an eye-opener, for sure, but I'm hoping to get the chance to do something like this again in the future.SA国际影视传媒�