Shannon Kline’s officiating career has come a long way.
What started out as a way to make a few dollars when she was 11, has completely changed her life. Now at 23, she does it for the love of the game.
“Officiating is my passion and I couldn’t imagine not doing it anymore,” wrote Kline in an email. “Like almost everyone that plays the game or officiates the game, we hope to one day skate for Canada at the Olympics. Ever since I was little, that has been my goal. I never thought that maybe one day my officiating could take me there.”
Kline, who resides in Calgary, has been busy working the third and final rounds of the junior B playoffs in Hockey Calgary. She also worked the Canadian Interuniversity Sport women’s national championship which wrapped up on March 20. It’s the fifth national championship Kline has worked and her second for CIS.
“It’s another privilege to be picked out of the many talented female officials across Canada,” said Kline, who worked the bronze medal game last year and gold this year.
Her first national championship was in Dawson Creek and she worked a semifinal game. In April of 2015 she officiated the gold medal game at the Esso National Championships. She was also selected to be a linesman the Mac’s midget AAA invitational tournament last Christmas. She was the only female to work that tournament and the first in five years. She said it was “a privilege and honour for her.”
Kline credits those involved with officiating in Penticton and B.C. Hockey for where she is.
“Without everyone’s help there I would never have moved to Calgary (nearly five years ago) and probably would not be seeing the hockey that I am now,” she said. “I owe them a lot for all the help they have given me as well as my family for supporting me in what I do everyday. (The) CZRC (Central Zone Referees’ Committee) has helped as well with supporting me and giving me the feedback that I needed. I am very glad I moved here when I did. With them, I have moved to levels that I would never have thought I could be at.”
Kline said her experiences have helped her mentally and physically. While officiating in higher leagues, Kline receives more detailed supervision so she knows what she needs to do to get that one step higher.
“Physically, well I need to be in shape which I’ve always struggled with,” she said. “This year I have worked really hard at that aspect of my game and have overcome boundaries I never thought I could.”