LEVEL

Mini Soccer Referee

Effective 2009, the Canadian Soccer Association raised the minimum age of the Entry Level Referees to 14 years.  This created a gap for the hundreds of 12 and 13 year old Ontario Soccer Association referees.  In order to continue to provide development opportunities for the younger referees, the OSA Referee Department has developed a Mini Soccer Referee Course for 12 and 13 year olds.

To participate in a Mini Soccer Referee Course, an individual must be at least 12 years old on or before March 31st the year of the course, and cannot be older than 13 on or before March 31st the year of the course.

If a 12 year old took the mini course in 2010 and will not be old enough in 2011 to take the Entry Level referee course, this individual will have to take the mini course again in 2011. The annual taking of the course provides the referee with education opportunities on an annual basis, ultimately preparing them for the 11 v 11 game.  This course also acts as a refresher and as a means to register that referee for the year with the OSA.

Participants of the course will become certified Ontario Soccer Association Mini Soccer Referees, and will be qualified to referee 7 v 7, Tiny Tot and Mini Soccer games. These referees will not be certified to referee or act as the assistant referee on any 11 v 11 games at any level until they reach the age of 14.

HOSTING MINI SOCCER REFEREE COURSES

If a club wishes to host an OSA Mini Soccer Referee course, it is important that the club is using (without alteration) the OSA Mini Soccer Rules.  These are the rules that the referees are being taught, and will use when refereeing.  Any rule variances by leagues are to be reported directly to the District in which the league resides, who will bring it to the OSA and action may be taken towards the league.

The cost of the course will be $25.00 per participant and the minimum number of participants is 15 per course.

A list of courses offered across the province can be found by clicking the following link: (Provide link)

If there are any questions, please contact Lyndon Hooper at  lhooper@soccer.on.ca

Youth Referee

In order to become a Youth Referee, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must  be 14 or 15 years of age on or before March 31st of the current year.
• Register in an Entry Level Referee Clinic . To register in an Entry Level Referee Clinic you e-mail the course coordinator directly, all the contact information will be on the Clinic information page for that particular clinic.
• Pass the Entry Level Examination with a mark of 80% or higher.

Youth Referees are permitted to referee 11 v 11 recreational games up to two years younger then the referee. Therefore, if you are 14 years of age, you can referee 12 and under. If you are 15 years of age, you can referee 13 and under.  

The registration fee for Youth Referees is $25 per season.  When the referee turns 16, he or she will automatically become a District Referee. (Please see District Referee for more information).  (for registration purposes, the fees will be $40 if the referee turns 16 on or before March 31st of the current registration year, and $25 for those that turn 18 on or after April 1st of the current registration year).

District Referees

 In order to become a District Referee, you must meet the following criteria:

• If you are 16 years of age on or before March 31st of the current year, you can register in an Entry Level Referee Clinic. To register in an Entry Level Referee Clinic you e-mail the course coordinator directly.  All the contact information will be shown under the particular course you wish to attend.
• Those who pass the Entry Level Examination with a mark of 80% or higher and are above the age of 16 will then be certified as a District Referee.
• District Referees are permitted to referee 11 v 11 recreational games up to two years younger then the referee until the referee turns 18. Therefore, if you are 16 years of age, you can referee 14 and under.
• Once the referee turns 18, then they can referee any age level.
• The registration fee for District Referees is as follows (for registration purposes, the fees will be $80 if the referee turns 18 on or before March 31st of the current registration year, and $40 for those that turn 18 on or after April 1st of the current registration year):
  
  • 16 and 17 years old = $40 per season
  • 18 years old or older = $80 per season.

While a District Referee, you can apply to the Regional Upgrading Program if you wish to further your career.  Click HERE (insert link) for information on the Regional Upgrading Program.

Regional Referee

 

Referees must be an active District Referee over the age of 18 for a minimum of 2 years with the OSA in order to apply to the Regional Upgrade Program. Those who are interested in Upgrading need to apply to the Regional Upgrade Program. Click HERE for the program application form.

 

Regional Upgrade Program

• Applications to Lyndon Hooper lhooper@soccer.on.ca Applications are available HERE and can be e-mailed, faxed or mailed into the OSA office.

You must complete and pass the following:

• Regional Fitness Test
• Pass the Written Exam
• Attend a 2-day course with the (locations may vary depending on the year)

 
Once you have passed the above requirements successfully, you will be upgraded to a Regional Referee.  In order to continue to maintain that status, you will have to pass the Regional Fitness test annually and receive the required number of assessments, and perform at the required competency.

Provincial Referee

 

Referees must be an active Regional Referee for a minimum of 1 year with the OSA in order to apply to the CSA Provincial Upgrade Program. Those who are interested in Upgrading need to apply to the Provincial Upgrade Program. Click HERE for the program application form.

 

Provincial Upgrade Program

• Applications to Kathleen McCarthy at the OSA. Applications are available HERE and can be e-mailed, faxed or mailed into the OSA office.

You must complete and pass the following:

• Provincial Fitness Test
• Pass the CSA Written Exam
• Attend a 2-day course with the CSA in May (locations may vary depending on the year)
  • in 2011, the Provincial Upgrading Course will be held in Laval, QU on May 20-21

 

 
Once you have passed the above requirements successfully, you will be upgraded to a Provincial Referee.  In order to continue to maintain that status, you will have to pass the Provincial Fitness test annually and receive the required number of assessments, and perform at the required competency.

 

• Registration
• Fitness Test
• Assessments
• Game appointments and the policy for assessable games
• Possible downgrading

 

Upgrading in the System

The decision to referee soccer can be rewarding and fulfilling. One can reap many benefits at all levels of officiating. To choose to officiate at a high level of competition is a "Career Choice."

If a referee wants to progress through the various levels, which correspond to the level of game competition, he/she should plan for the work and time required to rise through the ranks. The higher the progression, the greater the time requirement, planning and commitment.

The normal progression plan is from a mini/entry Referee to Regional, then Provincial, and many have aspirations of becoming a National Referee, and for some very few they reach the International status.