One of the nicest things (actually, the
only nice thing) a coach has ever said to me was at a "home" game a few years ago. When "our" coach walked into the gym and saw that I was refereeing his fairly loud response was:
"F@#% why do we have to get you as a referee?"
My first instinct was T before the start of the game - but as soon as I looked at him he said:
"I mean, when we go away the opposition gets a home court advantage, but when you ref, it's fair for both teams! That can't be fair!"
I later learnt that several of my association's coaches felt the same way about having me referee
(In this competition, the home association provides both referees)