What The Young Ref Wishes Every Sports Parent Understood (with Jeremi Barnes aka @TheYoungRef)
Healthy Sports ParentsShow Notes
Jeremi Barnes didn’t plan to become a youth sports ref with millions of views across social media. But what started as a way to help out turned into a calling — not just to officiate games, but to connect with kids, model respect, and remind everyone why youth sports actually matter.
Jeremi shares his own athletic journey (including how he set a school record in triple jump just two months after learning the event), how he became a referee, and why he believes how you treat kids matters more than the scoreboard.
We talk about:
Why younger referees can connect with players in a powerful way
What kids actually hear (and feel) when parents yell from the sidelines
Why your sideline behavior is shaping your kid’s character
How older siblings can play a huge role in the journey
The real impact of encouragement, presence, and modeling emotional control
If you care more about your kid than the scoreboard, this conversation will hit home. It’s honest, funny, and full of perspective every sports parent needs.
FOLLOW JEREMI ON SOCIAL:
Follow Farrell on social: https://www.tiktok.com/@theyoungref https://www.instagram.com/jeremibarnes
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