Ottawa Internationals Soccer Club

Referee Certification

Getting Started

Anyone who is twelve (12) years old as of 01 January and is interested in becoming a referee may arrange to attend an entry level referee clinic. These clinics are put on throughout the year, although most are held in the spring. They are normally organized by the larger soccer clubs in each local soccer district. Sometimes a district will put on a clinic on its own.

The clinics available are listed on the Ontario Soccer Association website www.soccer.on.ca

If the Ottawa Internationals are offering a clinic at a convenient time, get in touch with the person designated on the OSA website as the clinic contact. You will be asked to send in full name, address, phone number, email, date of birth, and a cheque for $60. This fee covers the cost of registration and expenses for the clinic. The registration portion ($50) will be refunded to each candidate who passes the clinic and completes a sufficient number of assignments for the club.

Each clinic is limited to 25 candidates. With the Ottawa Internationals, registration is on a first-paid, first-registered basis.

If we do not have space in our in-house clinics, a candidate may arrange to attend a clinic through any other club or district.

Each clinic consists of 16 hours of class and field time with one or two instructors assigned by the OSA. There is usually a representative of the club or district in attendance who will help the instructor(s) and referee candidates, particularly with details concerning how officiating for that club works. With the Ottawa Internationals, the Head Referee attends each clinic.

Upon passing a quiz at the end of the clinic, each graduate will have become a Class 4 referee. Each new referee will need a uniform and equipment. Once properly equipped, the referee will be able to contact the Ottawa Internationals, other clubs, and other leagues to obtain assignments to games.

Each new referee will operate in the first year with an identification card provided at the end of the clinic. In each subsequent year, the referee must register with the OSA and will receive a new identification card.

In subsequent years, each referee may be eligible to upgrade to a higher classification through the development process.

Classification and Development for Referees

There is a pyramid of play for soccer players, with large numbers of players at the recreational level and many fewer players at the professional level. There is a parallel pyramid of referees.

At the base of the pryamid of refereeing is a large number of Class 4 referees who are qualified to officiate in recreational games. After sufficient experience in recreational games, Class 4 referees may be asked to take assignments as assistant referees in competitive games involving youth players.

Any Class 4 referee who is sixteen (16) years old, has one year of experience, and has obtained the recommendation of a club Head Referee or District Referee Co-ordinator may arrange to attend an upgrading clinic to proceed to Class 3. These Class 3 clinics are put on periodically by the district, often once in the spring and once in the fall. They involve several classroom preparatory sessions, a multiple-choice exam, and five hours of instruction.

In the first year, new Class 3 referees may be asked to take assignments in youth recreational and competitive games, plus assignments as assistant referees in adult games. In subsequent years, they may be asked to take assignments in adult games up to, but not including, certain senior divisions selected by the District Referee Co-ordinator. In the Eastern Ontario District this means up to Women's Premier and Men's Division Two.

Any Class 3 referee who has obtained the recommendation of a club Head Referee or District Referee Co-ordinator may arrange to attend an upgrading clinic to proceed to Class 2. Class 2 clinics are put on periodically by the district, often once in the spring and once in the fall. They involve several classroom training sessions and a short-essay exam. After passing the exam, each candidate must pass a fitness test (run in the spring) and pass three (3) on-field assessments within two (2) years. In each subsequent year, a Class 2 referee must pass the fitness test and one assessment.

In the first year, new Class 2 referees may be asked to take assignments in any youth and adult games except professional games. In subsequent years, they may be asked to take assignments as assistant referees in professional games.
Any Class 2 referee who has two years of above average performance may arrange to attend an upgrading clinic to proceed to Class 1. Class 1 clinics are put on periodically by the Ontario Soccer Assocation, usually once a year. They involve several classroom training sessions and an essay exam. After passing the exam, each candidate must pass a more difficult fitness test (run in the spring) and pass four (4) on-field assessments within two (2) years. In each subsequent year, a Class 1 referee must pass the fitness test and one or more assessments.

Class 1 referees may be asked to take assignments in any youth and adult games, including professional games and inter-provincial games.

Above average Class 1 referees are eligible to be nominated as National Referees following fitness testing and assessment. A person selected as a National Referee may be appointed to the FIFA International List of Referees or the FIFA International List of Assistant Referees.

Registration

Persons who wish to train to become referees shoud contact the coordinator for a Class 4 clinic that appears on the OSA website < www.soccer.on.ca > and is offered at a convenient time and place. Alternatively, the Club Head Referee may be contacted for information. With the Ottawa Internationals, it is currently the club Head Referee who coordinates clinics in any case.

Registration as a new Class 4 referee, including the annual fee, is part of the clinic administration.

For returning Class 4 referees, the OSA sends out a registration form in late fall. The form, along with the annual registration fee (see link) should be returned quickly, before the end of the calendar year, otherwise a late fee will be applied by the OSA.

For returning referees who are Class 3 and above, the same procedure applies for registration with the OSA. The applicable fees are higher.

Registration and fee payment should always be made for the classification level at which the referee is fully qualified. A Class 4 referee who intends to sit the upgrading exam for Class 3 should apply as a Class 4. A Class 3 referee who has an exam, fitness test, and/or assessments to pass for Class 2 should register as a Class 3. A fee will apply at the time each exam is written and the registration fee will increase when registration at the next higher level is appropriate based on full completion of the requirements.

The OSA has recently planned the introduction of an on-line registration system, which is expected to be in full operation for 2004.

With the Ottawa Internationals, the club Head Referee sends out a request in late fall or early winter for returning. By returning this form, the club will be informed of the referee's planned return and will be able to plan for recruitment in the following year.

Fees

Fees are payable to the OSA for registration and clinics. Select fees are as shown below.

Class 4 entry clinic $50 plus $10 to the club for expenses ($60 total) Class 3 annual registration $65

Class 3 clinic $30 Class 2 or 1 annual registration $90

Class 4 annual registration $25 Late registration with OSA $15

The Ottawa Internationals, at the discretion of the club Head Referee and/or the club Executive, may reimburse candidates who pass clinics for all or a substantial portion of their fees.

Uniform and Equipment

Referees are expected to wear a prescribed uniform at all times once they are on the way to, at, or returning from game assignments:

Black referee jersey with OSA crest affixed.
Black referee shorts with pockets (not regular shorts worn by players and without markings other than the maker's name).
Black referee socks with three horizontal stripes. The socks should be kept pulled up to the knees and the stripes exposed.
It is preferred that black shoes be worn. Regular soccer cleats are appropriate, but many referees prefer turf shoes, which are more comfortable for multiple games in one day or over the course of a long summer.
The referee has the option to wear a referee jersey of an alternate colour. However, the referee's jersey should be a distinctly different colour than the jerseys of the two opposing teams and their goal keepers. In the event of a conflict, it is the referee who should change jerseys.
When three referees are present to officiate at a game, the two assistant referees should wear the same colour of jerseys. The referee may wear the same colour or a different colour. None of the jerseys may match the jersey of any player. It is best if each referee always bring at least the black jersey.
On cold days, it is permissible to wear a long-sleeved black short under the jersey and/or leggings under the shorts. It is also permissible to wear a plain black coat and/or plain black long pants in very bad weather.
As for players, braces for the joints (e.g., knee supports) are permitted. Any brace should be either soft or covered by soft material. It is preferrable that the outside of any brace be black.
Nothing should be worn on the head.
It is preferrable that glasses not be worn. Contact lenses or special sports glasses are less dangerous in the event of a collision or ball impact.
A whistle attached to a lanyard should be carried in one hand. The lanyard should be attached to the wrist.
A stop-watch should be worn on one wrist. Some referees prefer to use two watches (both on one arm or one on each arm) so that they can track added time and avoid any mistake in time keeping, such as might happen were one watch to fail.
A referee's wallet and pencil or pen should be carried in the breast pocket of the jersey. The wallet should contain paper on which to record events during the game. Experience teaches that a system that is water-proof, or at least water resistant, is advisable. A soft pencil works well on cardboard even in the rain. Some referees prefer to purchase plastic cards that come with water-proof-ink pens.
Referee's wallets come complete with yellow and red cards-these cards may be kept with the wallet or carried separately in one or another pocket. Care should be taken to ensure that the proper colour card is brought out in the event of the need to discipline a player.

Each referee should always carry the flags that are required when acting in the capacity of assistant referee.

When assigned as an assistant referee, each official should bring all equipment necessary to take the game as the referee. If the referee does not make it to the field, or cannot continue in the game, the more senior assistant referee may need to step in to the middle and take charge. Each assistant referee should be carrying his or her referee wallet, whistle, and watch during the game so as to be able to assist the referee with the record of the game according to the referee's instructions, or to take over the game if necessary.

Where change rooms are available at the field, referees in the higher classifications may wear prescribed street clothes.

Experienced referees carry a bag that contains:

Shoes.
Extra socks.
Extra jersey(s).
Flags.
Ball pump.
Ball pressure gauge.
Clipboard (to facilitate completing game sheets).
Extra pen and/or pencil.
Extra note paper.
Sunscreen.
Insect repellant.
Bandaids and other personal first aid items of choice.
The local rules for the assigned game.
The current Laws of the Game (light for times when the referee is alone or for loan to a friend for a few moments). The Laws of the Game should not be consulted during a game or discussion with anyone except in private conversation with other members of the officiating crew or organizing committee at the match, preferrably prior to the match. The Laws of the Game should be sufficiently well known that consulting the book is unnecessary.

Often, the papers are carried in something waterproof or water-resistant, such as a Tupperware container. If hard, such a container can also facilitate completion of the game sheets.

The club Head Referee normally has most of the standard equipment, excluding shoes and personal items, available for purchase at nonprofit prices comparable to sale prices in sporting goods stores.

Duties

Each referee is expected to request some assignments over the course of the outdoor season. To be eligible for upgrading, taking more assignments is beneficial. It is expected that all assignments to games will be honoured. The home team coach, club Head Referee, or another club Executive member should be notified in the event that a referee cannot attend a game. Cancellations should be made a minimum of 48 hours before kickoff time. Cancellations should be for appropriate reasons, such as illness or unexpected family crises, not for convenience.

Referees are expected to arrive at least as long before kickoff time for an assigned match as is prescribed by the rules for that match. In the case of recreational games assigned by the Ottawa Internationals, referees must be at the field twenty (20) minutes before kickoff.

Referees are expected to conduct themselves in an orderly and respectful manner. Any code of conduct applicable at a match to which a referee has been assigned is to be rigourously followed. This includes the code of conduct of the Ontario Soccer Association.

Referees are required to maintain their knowledge of the game through study, practice, and attendance at training sessions.

Getting Assignments

Each referee in Ontario works for the Ontario Soccer Association. The referee may take assignments from any league sanctioned by the OSA, provided the proposed game assignment is at a level for which the referee is qualified.

Under exceptional circumstances, a referee who does not have the level of qualification required for the assignment may take the assignment. The referee should be certain that he or she is prepared for the level of competition proposed. If in doubt, the referee should check with the club Head Referee and/or District Referee Co-ordinator.

With the Ottawa Internationals, assignments are obtained by contacting the Club Administrator.

At the spring referesher session and events throughout the summer, sign-up sheets are available for upcoming regular season, tournament, and festival games.

Pay

There is a pyramid of pay for referees. The fees paid for officiating games with very young recreational and developmental players on a small field of play are lower than for 11-a-side competitive games. The more competitive the games are expected to be, the higher the classification required for the referee and assistant referees.

Different leagues and clubs may offer slightly different rates of pay for particular levels of games. Rates of pay may also be subject to change.

Pay for games in tournaments, which are usually shorter than regular season games, is usually pro-rated to reflect the duration of the match.

Rates of pay offered by the Ottawa Internationals for the 2005 outdoor season are under consideration at this time.

Training and Assessments

A refresher sessions is put on each spring by the club Head Referee. This session includes distribution of news, updates on changes to the Laws of the Game and their application, and tests on knowledge of the game and its laws. Prizes are awarded.

Periodically, the EODSA holds refresher sessions. These sessions are usually but on by the most experienced instructors and assessors in the district. They cover basics, but also serve as an opportunity to discuss even the most intricate scenarios for application of the Laws of the Game.

Assessments for referees in Class 3 and above are administered by the EODSA, the OSA, or the CSA. The Ottawa Internationals runs an assessment program involving visits to select games to observe referees who may soon be eligible to upgrade to Class 3. These assessments will also involve observation of the coaches, players, and spectators.

Contacts

Club Head Referee: referee@ottawasoccer.com

District Referee Co-ordinator, Eastern Ontario Disctrict Soccer Association