Mark Newlove #25, played Basketball until Junior High School, and some baseball, but mostly he played lacrosse from Pee Wee to Junior. He was part of the Bantam B provincial championship team in 1972. Mark also coached from 1998 until 2015, covering all levels from Tyke to Junior B.
In 1976, his officiating career, like many others before him, began in the GSL. He joined the BCFOA 4 years later, in 1980. Began his career with American rules and also began officiating Canadian rules in the late 1990s. Mark was proud to be the Referee of the 2003 Canada Bowl.
His flexible employment history allowed him to officiate many games that occurred immediately after school. Starting in 1988, he never missed working some level of a High School Championship Final, and usually as the Referee.
Mark has retired from officiating on the field. He was proud to serve as the High School Allocator for 5 years during the early 2000s, Educator for 2 years, and President for two terms. One term lasted for 5 years and the other for 8 years. Mark was also a member of many high school play-off committees.
He refereed two Lingerie Football games that were played in BC.
Mark has the ability to make everyone who officiates with him think they are better than they are because he makes doing a game with him so easy.
Mark has proven leadership qualities, a classic “over-achiever” and a record of accomplishment. He has an engaging personality, a commitment to excellence and has earned the respect of coaches and players as one of the BCFOA’s best officials, regardless of rules set at the referee and umpire positions.