Born in Scotland and raised in Canada, Gerald has lived and breathed the game at every level: as a player, coach, club president, executive, and even as a professional in the soccer apparel industry. He’s worn every hat the sport could offer — and played competitively until age 56.
“I’ve been involved in the game at every level,” he says. “I just couldn’t let it go.”
But several years ago, everything changed. A serious accident left Gerald in the hospital for three days with a concussion, hooked up to machines, rethinking what his next chapter in the game could look like.
“I couldn’t play soccer anymore,” Gerald says. “But I still had my passion for the game.”
That passion found an unexpected outlet: refereeing.
From Player to Referee: A New Chapter Begins
In his late 50s, Gerald signed up to become a referee, thinking it might help him stay active in the game. What he found was something even more profound.
“I thought I knew everything about football,” he reflects. “But I’m learning different situations. I’m learning different rules. I’m learning how to handle different humans. It’s just been a complete journey.”
He still remembers the nerves of his first game, a U8 tournament competition where “the ball hit those little kids and bounced every which way.” But the experience hooked him.
“Every day is a school day. Soccer is just a metaphor for life.”
Now three years in, Gerald brings the same commitment to the pitch as a referee that he did as a player and coach — and in many ways, even more.
Letting the Game Shine
As a match official, Gerald's guiding principle is simple: it’s not about him.
“I’m there not to make it my game,” he explains. “I’m there to enhance their game. I’m here to serve them and help them and be a neutral observer.”
He prides himself on communication and connection — with players, coaches, and even fans. “I want the players to walk away going, ‘Yeah, we decided that game — the referee didn’t.’”
Sometimes that means defusing tension with humour. (“Come on, big man, you went down slower than my mortgage,” he once quipped to a chuckling sideline.) Other times, it means explaining a nuanced decision or acknowledging a mistake. But always, it’s about mutual respect.
“It’s not about my ego,” he says. “It’s about making the game better for them.”
Building Better Humans
Though Gerald now referees everything from grassroots games to high-level OPDL matches, it’s the human moments that stick with him most. The honest call from a young player, the thank-you from a coach, the hug from a kid months after a match.
“It’s not just about building players,” he says. “It’s about building character and values.”
He speaks of the OPDL kids with genuine admiration. “They’re phenomenal humans. They’re going to be great leaders. From what I see, they’re going to be great contributors to our society.”
Gerald knows that the referee’s presence — fair, composed, and respectful — can shape how young athletes view not only the game, but authority, integrity, and community.
“If you’re berating a referee, you’re probably berating other people in your life too,” he says. “What is the example you’re setting for your kids?”
A Joyful Perspective
Gerald insists he hasn’t found a downside to refereeing. “Honestly, there’s no bad,” he says. “It’s been rewarding, fulfilling, enlightening — it’s been awesome.”
Despite the long days and sore legs, he wouldn't trade it for anything.
“I’ve done 46,000 steps in one day keeping up with too many games,” he laughs. “But I give my every fiber for these kids.”
Giving Back, Paying it Forward
Now 59, Gerald is eager to help younger people find their footing in the game the same way he did.
“I want to help people,” he says. “Not necessarily just as referees — as humans.”
He often takes members of the soccer community under his wing, offering feedback, encouragement, and sometimes even big-picture life lessons. One of his favourite questions to pose: “If I asked you to list the things you love most in your life, how long would it take you to say yourself?”
His goal is simple — to develop confident, compassionate individuals who love the game and respect the people in it.
The Final Whistle
If there’s one thing Gerald wants others to understand, it’s that soccer is a vehicle for something far greater.
“The score of the game wasn’t 3-2,” he says, recalling a youth final. “You know who won the game? Soccer won the game.”
And through his whistle, wisdom, and wholehearted service, Gerald Woodman is making sure it keeps winning — one match at a time.