Programs Offered

At the 2008 ODHA Referee School, there is an appropriate class for everyone.  The Referee School is streamed into 3 groups: The Beginner Program for officials with no previous officiating experience; the Intermediate Program for officials with 1-2 years of officiating experience; and the Advanced Program for officials with 3 or more years of officiating experience.

Beginner Program:

Our 3-day Group 1 program will provide officials with no previous officiating experience with the skills and confidence to officiate at the recreational hockey level.  With the help of our experienced and knowledgeable resident and guest instructors, officials will learn how to get started in officiating in the ODMHA and in the Hockey Canada Officiating Program.  Our unique seminar format will allow new officials to learn from instructors coming from a variety of officiating backgrounds.  Ice time will reinforce positioning and skating techniques used by amateur hockey officials.  Among other topics, seminars will include: the expectations and duties of a referee; basic positioning; rule knowledge; signals; interacting with coaches and players; and dealing with abuse and harassment.  New officials will leave the Referee School with their Level 1 Hockey Canada Officiating Program Certification, and will be fully prepared to begin officiating at the minor hockey level.
Note:    §Brand new officials must contact their local association or district Referee-In-Chief to confirm that there is a need for new officials in that geographical area.  In so doing, new officials should inquire about some of the other expenses that might be incurred (with regards to equipment, travel or district officiating program dues depending on geographical concerns).  Participants will not be accepted without the expressed confirmation from their local Referee-In-Chief.
§Participants do not need to have a complete set of officiating equipment before attending the school.  However, at a minimum, participants should have a CSA-Certified Black helmet, a whistle, and skates.
§This program is designed for individuals who are 15 years of age and over.  Participants will benefit if they have some previous playing or coaching experience, although this is not a requirement to participate.
§Brand new officials over the age of 17 are eligible to write their Level 2 examination should they so choose.  Those choosing to do so should have an advanced knowledge of the rules.  Adults choosing to begin officiating and attend the school may choose to participate in the Beginner or Intermediate programs, but should discuss this with their Referee-In-Chief or with a Referee School instructor prior to registering.

Intermediate Program:

Our 3-day Intermediate program will provide previously certified Level 1 or Level 2 officials with the skills and confidence to begin or to continue officiating as a linesman at the recreational or competitive levels, or as a referee at the recreational level.  Participation in the intermediate program will allow officials with limited experience the ability to expand upon their existing knowledge of the playing rules and on-ice skills while teaching them some of the more technical aspects of officiating.  With the help of our experienced and knowledgeable resident and guest instructors, officials will benefit from our unique seminar format, wherein topics are presented by a variety of instructors from different officiating backgrounds.  Ice time will reinforce positioning and skating techniques used by amateur hockey officials, and will integrate positioning in the 3-Official system as well as skating techniques for referees.  Among other topics, seminar discussions will include: advanced positioning; intermediate rule knowledge; officiating in the 3-Official system; communication techniques; dealing with abuse and harassment; officiating opportunities; and making the most of a supervision and development programs.  Intermediate officials will leave the Referee School with their 2007-2008 Hockey Canada Officiating Program Certification, and will be prepared to continue officiating at the higher levels of minor hockey.

Advanced Program:

Our 3-day Advanced program will provide previously certified Level 2 or Level 3 officials with the ability continue officiating as a linesman at the higher levels of competitive hockey, or as a referee at the higher levels of recreational hockey or the lower levels of competitive hockey.  Those in the Advanced program will be challenged in further developing their knowledge of the playing rules and on-ice skills.  Our experienced and knowledgeable instructors will foster and encourage classroom discussion to allow officials to learn from each others’ experiences.  In this light, officials will learn how to overcome some of the more complex issues and challenges that officials are faced with, while teaching them some of the more technical aspects of officiating.  Ice time will allow officials to demonstrate their skills to some of the ODHA/ODMHA Officiating Program administrators and supervision staff, while learning from our guest NHL and OHL instructors.  Among other topics, seminar discussions will include: advanced positioning; advanced rule knowledge and application; communication techniques; judgment; dealing with abuse and harassment; officiating opportunities and supervision.  Advanced officials will leave the Referee School with their 2007 Hockey Canada Officiating Program Certification, and will be prepared to continue officiating at the highest levels of competitive minor hockey.  As this group is closely monitored by senior ODHA and ODMHA administrators and supervisors, the advanced group also serves as an excellent opportunity for those officials considering advancement to junior hockey, as well as those simply wishing to officiate at the higher age and skill levels in the minor hockey stream.  While future advancement is considered on a case-by-case basis, this program appropriately provides officials with the knowledge, training and experience needed to move up, while maximizing exposure for the individual official.

HOW TO REGISTER

Registration for the 2007 Referee School Is coming soon

Referee School Main Page