As part of the Match Officials Development and Accreditation program and in line with the Ontario Soccer Game Fee and Assigning Protocol and Ontario Soccer Grading Protocol, Grade 1 Match Officials are only qualified to officiate 7 vs 7 soccer, the small-sided-game.
It has come to Ontario Soccer’s attention that there are clubs using these officials as Assistant Referees in 9 vs 9 and 11 vs 11 matches.
This is not permitted unless the Match Official has also graduated from an Entry Level clinic (and therefore should be graded as a 4), or has previously been an 11 vs 11 or 9 vs 9 match official with Assistant Referee experience. Assigning Grade 1 Match Officials to these games is against Ontario Soccer Operational Policy.
Grade 1 Match Officials, who are primarily young and first year officials, do not have the education, accreditation, maturity and training to effectively fill the role of an Assistant Referee.
Ontario Soccer asks that groups please communicate this to your club assignors as soon as possible.
Ontario Soccer will also be communicating directly with the Grade 1 Match Officials to ensure they are aware that they can decline these game appointments.
If you have any further questions please contact Nicky Pearson.