At 61, the Granbyian is preparing to say goodbye to Football refereeing, at least at a high level, after 32 years. His track record includes five Dunsmore Cup games (the Quebec university football championship final), three Mitchell Cup games (the Canadian semi-final) and he is preparing to work on his second Cup. Vanier, who will pit the Rouge et Or of Laval University against the Golden Hawks of Wilfrid-Laurier University on Saturday for the title of Canadian champion.
“I’m proud of my journey,” says Roy. Football has been good for me, it has allowed me to realize myself, it has allowed me to form valuable friendships. But I’m getting older, the flame burns a little less brightly and I feel like the time has simply come to move on.”
Recently, in Quebec, the Rouge et Or marked the end of his career in the Canadian semi-final. The man, a popular personality in the world of Quebec football, received a warm ovation.
“It’s not every day that 19,000 people applaud a referee! Let’s just say I couldn’t wait for it to end and for the game to start again!”
— Stéphane Roy, referee
Roy believes now is the perfect time to step down.
“I’m still at my best, there’s no one pushing me towards the exit, I’m healthy and there’s a lot of good talent coming up.”
Over the years, he traveled the country with Yvan Gatien, the other great football referee in Granby. But he invites us to remember this name: Richard Gagné, “another little guy from our area who will have an entire career as a football referee”.
The Granbyen in action. (Archives)
From emotion
Stéphane Roy expects to experience moments of great emotion this weekend in Kingston.
“I’m going to savor it all. All! Every play, every quarter, the discussions with the players and coaches, everything. I don’t know how I’ll react once the match is over, but I’m already feeling a little emotional.”
“And I haven’t even left for Kingston yet!”
— Stéphane Roy, referee
Roy became a football referee at the invitation of the late Hilaire Doucet, who did a lot for football in Granby. He had previously worn the colors of the Incroyables of J.-H.-Leclerc and the Inouk of the CEGEP, the first of the two versions.
However, it does not close the door to possibly returning to the school level, perhaps even to the college level. But he’s done with all the heavy preparation that comes with college games.
“If I were invited to referee the first football match presented on the new synthetic field at J.-H.-Leclerc, next fall, I would surely go,” he finishes, smirking.
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