By Dan Plouffe
In some respects, Jim Ward shows his age.
The Westboro resident began his career at the Canadian Tire on Richmond Road, which has made way to a condo development. He then moved over to R. L. Crane as an accountant, which is now the location of the Great Canadian Superstore.
And when the Nepean High School grad played for the Knights basketball team, it was in the tiny basement gym that is now a weight room.
But there is one place where the 76-year-old doesn’t look anywhere close to that number, and that’s when he’s officiating a basketball game.
Ward recently wrapped up a stretch of 14 consecutive days where he refereed games, including some with multiple contests.
“I just love it,” explains Ward, whose favourite assignment is Atom-level club basketball games. “To see some of these kids and the skills that they have at that level amazes me. I like working with the kids and to be out there.”
Ward was recognized with a lifetime achievement award for a technical official at the Ottawa Sports Awards banquet on Wednesday, Jan. 25 at Algonquin College. With 60 years under his belt since he first grabbed a whistle at age 16, Ward has officiated at the high school level, including OFSAA provincial championships, as well as at universities, regularly working many men’s intercollegiate contests.
Also a golf rules official, he continues to referee men’s leagues throughout the city and holds the distinction of being the only official to have refereed every season at the RA Centre since its opening.
“I just like to keep the string going,” smiles Ward, who usually oversees games on either the Tuesday or Wednesday night leagues. “I always tell them to get me in there at least once, and I’ve actually been to both leagues this year, so I’ve kept it going. I just really like going there.”
Almost every coach in the city recognizes Ward on the sidelines and will always give a good handshake at the end of games, although receiving awards doesn’t quite match with Ward’s desire – and that of any top-notch sports official – to keep a low profile.
“I was very surprised (to learn of the honour). I’m a little overwhelmed,” says Ward, whose son has now been refereeing for 30 years himself. “I’m quite comfortable to be not known and unseen.”