Return
to the "POINTER VIEW"April 4, 2003
Return
to the "POINTER VIEW"
April
4, 2003
Story and photos by
Kathy Eastwood
Staff Writer
|
|
| Zack Gorak (left) and his brother Kyle test their referee whistles. Both have received certificaiton to referee soccer. |
Referees have the duty of observing and enforcing rules and regulations governing sporting events. That applies even if the referees are nine and ten years old.
Kyle Gorak, at the age of nine, is the youngest soccer referee in the state and possibly in the nation. His older brother Zack, at age 10, is also a referee and both have been active soccer players for years.
Their dad, Maj. Mark Gorak, an aviation instructor in the mathematical sciences department here, has a lot to do with their interest in soccer. He is a professional soccer referee.
"I’ve always believed that sports is one of the best ways to teach children responsibility, dependability and respect for others," he said. "This refereeing experience will teach them leadership qualities as well."
Kyle, a soccer player since the age of four, said he became interested in refereeing because he enjoys watching dad in action.
"It was always cool to watch dad at the games, especially when he pulls out a warning card," Kyle said. "That’s when I thought it would be cool to be a referee."
Zack likes debating rules and regulations with his friends at Sacred Heart School in Highland Falls, where both boys attend.
|
|
| Zack and Kyle Zorak display some hand signals used in soccer. Both are looking forward to refereeing their first soccer game. |
"I have a friend that disagrees with me sometimes. I think he just likes to challenge me, to see if I really do know what I’m talking about," he said.
Zack and Kyle received their general certificates after attending a basic referee clinic in Lewisboro, N.Y., and passing a test. The United States Soccer Federation, which sponsored the clinic, teaches rules, hand signals, what does and doesn’t constitute a goal and rules governing fouls and conduct.
"Zack and Kyle can referee high school and college games, but they usually referee kids their own ages," the elder Gorak said.
Soccer season here has been delayed due to the severe winter, but Zack and Kyle should be beginning their referee careers within the next few weeks. They will be able to referee in games from Middletown to Poughkeepsie, as well as in this community for Youth Services games.
