As part of the ongoing effort to promote a positive and supportive environment within the North Haven Soccer Club (NHSC), it has launched a new series called “Get to Know Your Referee.” This initiative aligns with the club’s zero tolerance stance on referee abuse and aims to highlight the fact that the referees are kids from within the community. The goal of the series is to help the community get to know the referees a bit, and celebrate their contributions and their hard work.

Last week’s referee spotlight was on Jaiden Walton, a 15-year old referee from North Haven High School. He is in 10th grade, and his favorite school subject is science. Walton’s favorite soccer team is Real Madrid, and his favorite player is Cristiano Ronaldo. Walton’s favorite food is steak, and he also competes on the track and field and cross country team. Other hobbies of Walton’s include playing the guitar and reading. Walton’s favorite movie is “Avengers Infinity War,” and his favorite book is “Animal Farm.”

Walton’s favorite thing about being a referee is that it teaches him useful skills like leadership, decision-making, and effective communication. A fun fact about Walton is that he can run a 5k in under 20 minutes, and he became a referee to be a part of soccer and engage with his community.