Submitted photo – The Eureka and Del Norte boys soccer players recently showed their support for local officials by presenting them with a care package before their game last week.

By Ray Hamill — Local high school sports fans got a timely reminder of just how important officials are over the weekend.

Saturday’s scheduled soccer game between the Del Norte and Eureka girls in Crescent City had to be called off because of a lack of officials available for the game.

The league has been making a push recently to add to the roster of officials for all of the H-DNL sports.

Anyone interested in becoming an official for one of the high school sports can scan the QR code below for more information.

Many of the local teams have been showing their support for the league’s officials this fall.

Last week, the Eureka and Del Norte boys soccer teams each presented the officials at their game with a care package in appreciation of the efforts they are making to ensure the games take place this fall.

A declining number of officials in most H-DNL sports has adversely affected the scheduling of games in just about every sport over the past couple of years as local officials associations scramble to field enough officials for events.

The H-DNL is also taking a proactive approach to the problem and has been actively promoting better sportsmanship at the league sports events.

The league will also host a second annual HDN Sportsmanship Summit on Oct 21 at College of the Redwoods.