Referee Development Program
The Referee Development Program of The Ontario Soccer Association has as its mission, "To prepare and certify Referees for the club, district, regional and provincial levels of the game". To this end, the training and support provided to Referee leaders such as Club Head Referees, District Referee Coordinators, Instructors, and Evaluators is an ongoing programme activity intended to enable these leaders to assist with training and developing Referees in communities across the Province.
Individuals who are 13 years of age or older, as of April 1 of the current registration year, are welcome to take the initial training course to become a Referee, that is, the Class 4 Entry-Level Course.
This program, which combines classroom instruction with on-field practical skills training, is designed to prepare individuals for the role of being the Referee - the person responsible for the smooth operation of the match.
Once certified as a Referee, individuals gain experience, attend further education and training sessions, and then can receive opportunities to referee games played at the higher levels.
The promotional path for Referees is an important indicator of the experience and skills that a game referee has developed. Referees are encouraged to continue developing their knowledge and skills throughout their careers as on-field officials.
The starting point as a Referee is as a C4 with the other classifications as C3, C2, C1 and then entry in the National Program as a Nominated National Referee.
Other than the minimum age of 13 years (as of April 1 of the current registration season) to become a Class 4 Referee and the minimum age of 16 years to become a Class 3 Referee, classification as a Referee up to and including Class 1 is based on performance criteria through on-field evaluations, written examinations, and fitness testing.
Those involved in the Referee Development Program find much more than an opportunity for part-time employment - they also develop a desire to be the best referee that they can and to help the other referees in their communities. Refereeing is often a family activity with, in many cases, several Referees in the same family carrying on a tradition of support to the game.
Read more about this topic: Ontario Soccer Association
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