Dave Ralston will complete a unique trifecta of officiating later this month when he is part of the crew taking charge of the IFAF Asia Oceania Flag Football Championships in Kuala Lumpur.

Dave will officiate at his third IFAF continental championship of 2023, the only person in the black and white striped shirts to do so.

Michael Preston caught up with the busy resident of Gig Harbor, Washington, as he prepares to add Malaysia to his list of IFAF destinations having taken his passion for the sport to Charlotte, North Carolina, and Limerick, Ireland earlier this year.

How did you first begin officiating flag football and when?

About 12 years ago there was a small ad in my local parks and recreation flyer looking for officials. I had never officiated any sport but thought it would be fun to learn and get back on the field.

I followed football all my life and assumed someone on the staff would teach me how to officiate. I assumed wrong! I ended up being the only adult among many well-meaning but untrained teenage officials.

I had two choices, teach myself and the teenagers or leave the kids in the league without refs. I caught the bug and haven’t looked back since.

How did you come to officiate at the IFAF tournaments?

Through Desiree Abrams and Hollywood Garcia two of my dear friends in the officiating community. We all worked our way up through small local leagues and then bigger tournaments around the US. We are regularly in touch. They are great IFAF ambassadors and also work at high levels of the sport in the US and internationally.

What was the driver behind officiating at all three continental tournaments this year?

Officiating is a calling, a vocation. Those of us that answer that calling in a serious way always want challenges and seek continuous improvement. It is almost addictive.

I was invited by Desiree Abrahms and USA Football to be part of the America’s Continental Championships in Charlotte, N.C. last July and it seemed logical for me to continue to challenge myself at the European event in Ireland. Aidan Maguire, the President of American Football Ireland, was gracious enough to have me participate.

I had a blast in Ireland. I met many new international friends! I was assigned to a great crew and that made it even more special. Then I decided I could not leave the Asian Championships off the list; it would feel incomplete.

I have invested significant money on airline tickets etc. to participate in all three events. Some people think I am crazy, but it is an investment in me and the sport. I know I am not the only one that sacrifices family time, money and stress to continuously improve the sport, so we have to acknowledge the officiating community’s efforts across the board.

Ultimately, I want to be officiating this game at the highest level that my skills can take me. To get there you must put in the time and hone your craft.

You must feel proud to be the only official involved at all three.

Obviously. I would say 2023 has been an outstanding year of officiating for me! I will be the only official in the world to ever achieve the IFAF “hat trick”. I was also blessed to be selected for two NFL Flag national championships at the Pro Bowl Games in Las Vegas last January, which were broadcast on ESPN.

I thank Tom LeNeve, Ramal Coleman, Desiree Abrahms, Hollywood Garcia, Aiden McGuire, Martin Cockerill, Allan Kotliar and Andy Fuller and many others for making this path possible. I have been very lucky to know and work with these leaders in the sport.

What are the logistical and financial challenges of working all three events?

I have invested significant money on airline tickets etc. to participate in all three events. You can at least double that with lost wages while away from the nine-to-five. But I know I am not the only one that sacrifices family time, money and stress to continuously improve the sport and our officiating. The sport is fortunate to have some really focused, unselfish people helping it grow.

What do you enjoy about the international scene?

The privilege of growing the sport, the comradery of new friends, teaching new officials, learning from others and the prestige that goes with being an international official.

Did anything surprise you about officiating in Charlotte and Limerick?

Yes, how well my European colleagues accepted me on the team as a non-continental. They were uplifting and inclusive. I was blessed to be selected for a medal round crew and embraced by the organizers, fellow officials and players. It was very positive.

How did those two tournaments differ?

Both organizations did a great job juggling many and often changing issues. Both LOCs pulled it off well and both were a positive learning experience.

What do you expect from the games in Malaysia?

This is the first of its type in that part of the world. I can say that from an officiating perspective Paul Brown of New Zealand and I will do all we can as Officiating Coordinators to support the local organizing committee and our roster of officials to deliver a great event. Many hundreds of hours of work are being put in to deliver a smooth, professional event.

What are some of the challenges of officiating internationally?

There are occasional language struggles, but we work through them well. Most football hand signals are standard so that is a convenient way overcome obstacles.

There are cultural differences as well. In the US we grew up with football and many of us play on teams along the way. Football fundamentals are second nature to us. This is not always the case around the world, so it is fun and exciting to see other countries improve their football acumen and officiating abilities.

A positive attitude and the ability to laugh at oneself usually carries the day.

How does officiating flag differ from tackle?

It stops with the ball. It is its own unique sport, with its own unique skill sets, strategy, faster pace and shorter games.

Flag is an inclusive sport available to nearly any age, body-type, skill-level, gender or special-need. The sport is played at all levels from local recreational to rigorous international competition.

What is the appeal of flag football?

It is available to people that may not want the contact of traditional gridiron. Every player is an eligible receiver, so players get more touches on the ball than traditional tackle ball. It is also a much faster paced games with less down time. The format also allows teams to play multiple opponents in a day. It is a perfect tournament sport. It is really rewarding to see the astronomical growth and acceptance of the game in just the last few years.

What would your advice be to an official considering officiating flag games?

Do it! Officiating is noble work and often unappreciated. All sports are having officiating shortages. If you are the kind of person that likes a challenge and enjoys striving for perfection, clearly knowing that perfection is unattainable, you should sign up. All this requires is passion and the yearn to learn.

Start at the local youth level and continue your journey at your own pace. Perhaps the path includes officiating tackle ball, perhaps not. Keep learning and keep challenging yourself.

How do you see the sport developing now and how will that impact officiating?

As the sport becomes more an internationally norm, officiating and certifications will have to grow with it. We are in a period of transition where there is a core group of high-level proficient officials and a band of lesser experienced officials who are coming up quickly. It is up to us all to raise our skills through study, sharing and getting more snaps on the field. The three continental championships are certainly doing this for me.

What is your profession and is taking time off work a challenge?

My partner and I run an international events management company focused on planning and operating large complex events (mostly sport). I also work part time for a family run sport equipment retailer and officiate nearly every weekend, year-round. I rarely take a day off.

Everyone is very supportive of me taking every opportunity to pursue my quest. My family, friends and fellow officials locally and across the world cheer me on to represent them, the United States and this great sport. Download the full schedule for the IFAF Asia Oceania Flag Football Championships here.