Ontario Soccer, in consultation with Canada Soccer and the Government of Ontario, continues to monitor the most recent developments surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the resulting public health crisis and Ontario Soccer’s Return to Play Plan.

In 2021 Match Official accreditation clinics will continue to be delivered through an online format.  Based on the recently completed Student Survey Results, a number of adjustments have been made to the 2020 online process.

These adjustments will result in increased efficiency for the Host and the Student. 

Ontario Soccer is aiming to reduce the costs and the administrative requirements of the Host (Club/District/Academy) coming into the 2021 fiscal year.

The major adjustments are as follows:

• Hosts will no longer be required to pay $1,700 for Entry Level or $1,200 for Small Sided Accreditation Clinics, or any additional student fees.
• The Host will select a number of ‘spots’ for new officials, based on need. In 2021 there will be no maximum or minimum registration numbers. This is to assist in rebuilding the match official pool for the Host at no cost to the Host. The Student will pay Ontario Soccer directly. 
• All education will be online. This removes the cost of hosting in-class 16-hour sessions, Clinic supervision, facilities, refreshments and additional requirements from the Host.
• The Host facilitates the required practical training as an opportunity to connect with their new officials.
• These are to be held in April and May, when fields are accessible and Hosts will not have to pay for a School Gym or other facility.
• Ontario Soccer will pay each Host a per head student fee upon their completion of the accreditation. This could assist in offsetting any practical training costs, or be utilized in match officials development program.

Ontario Soccer staff are currently creating a step-by-step Host Users Guide, which will be available in October.

The Host Users Guide will provide more information and details on the new process including application, registration and accreditation. 

The Users Guide will be provided electronically to each registered Club, Academy and District when complete and will also be made available online.

Ontario Soccer will update further when more details are available.

How do I stay connected to Ontario Soccer?

For further information please refer to the latest bulletins on the COVID-19 Updates page, which has all the latest information from Ontario Soccer, as well as resources for your members. Please consider placing a dedicated link to the COVID-19 Updates on the homepage on your website.

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If you have any questions, please contact Nicky Pearson, Senior Manager, Match Officials Development.