One reality of school sports in Michigan is this: the ages of the athletes remain the same, but the ages of the officials gradually creep upward.

“Sports officials association throughout the state sense the need to grow their numbers and, by recruiting more and younger officials, bring that average down,” said Freddy Krieger, secretary of the Fruit Belt Officials Association.  “Our state association, the MHSAA, is trying state-wide efforts to address the need, but on the local level, the recruitment and training necessary is up to local groups like ours.”

To respond to the increasing need for more well-trained referees in all sports, the Fruit Belt Officials Association is sponsoring a fair booth at the Berrien County Youth Fair, Aug. 17-22.  Located inside building 37, just off the west end of the grandstand, members of the association representing six sports will greet interested men and women of all ages and invite them to learn more about becoming registered sports officials.

“What all’s involved and how to take that first step, that’s the kind of advice and encouragement our members have to share at the fair,” Krieger said.

As a MHSAA sanctioned local approved association, the Fruit Belt Officials Association sponsors training programs for six sports, basketball, football, baseball, softball, wrestling, and volleyball.

Contact with the association can be made at the fair, or by email at info@fruitbeltofficials.org.

More information is available at their website at www.fruitbeltofficials.org.