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 pyramid 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 Association, 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.