SSA Information Release - Referee Pathway in Saskatchewan

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                    
 
 
 
 
Referee development and growth is one of the 6 priority areas within the SSA Strategic Plan 2017-2020. To support the recruitment, retention and progression of referees, we have outlined a pathway for individuals who would like to become referees but also provide clarity to those who are currently referees and would like to continue to progress through the pathway.
The Referee Pathway allows the individual to advance in their journey at their pace. There are a series of levels a referee must progress through, each with a set of requirements that must be met.

Designation	Program Required	Age Criteria
Small Sided	Small Sided Referee Clinic   *Entry Level Clinic	Any Age   *12-13 yr olds  who take the Entry Level Clinic
Youth Referee	Entry Level Clinic	14-15 yr olds
District Referee	Entry Level Clinic	16+
Regional Referee	Regional Upgrade Program	District Referee for 1 year
Provincial Referee	Provincial Upgrade Program	Regional Referee for 1 year
National Referee	National Upgrade Program	Administered by the CSA
Every Upgrade Program involves the following: A written exam on the Laws of the Game administered by the CSA A fitness test An in-class upgrade course On field performance assessment in game by certified assessors (minimum of 3 assessments) Promotion by the Referee Development Committee based on the above 4 criterion

According to the CSA Regulations for the Registration and Control of Referees:
“Referees must apply for promotion in writing. The Provincial Association must receive this request by no later than 1st March preceding the season in which the promotion is sought. Referees considered for promotion in the preceding season, but not advanced, will automatically be included in the promotion scheme for the following season unless they indicate otherwise, in writing, to the their Provincial Association by 1st March following the decision of that Association.”
Referees who are seeking promotion will be included in the SSA’s Referee Development Program in an attempt to help them meet the criteria and reach their goal. The SSA Referee Development Program is committed to supporting each referee to achieve success.
Saskatchewan Elite Referee Program (SERP) and Candidates Program
The SSA Referee Development Program operates two education programs to help referees attain their highest potential as a referee.

Candidates Program (Candidates)

Open program to all in the province who want to participate Educates referees in current Laws of the Game and practices of an official Helps referees in their foul recognition, player/team personnel management, confidence and knowledge First point of entry into the SSA Referee Development Program and select provincial competitions Allows the SSA to better assess individual referees for invitation into the “Saskatchewan Elite Referee Program” If you wish to be in the Candidates Program email SSA at crdsp@sasksoccer.com

Saskatchewan Elite Referee Program (SERP)

Invitation only Education and preparation of referees for Provincial and National promotion along the Referee Pathway The goal of SERP is to continually graduate referees into the CSA National Program Currently SERP has 1 graduate on the FIFA Assistant Referee list, 1 participant on the National Assistant Referee list, and 1 participant in the CSA’s NextGen Program (pre national list)

 
SERP and Candidates also serves as a continued education program for referees who wish to transition their career into Assessors, Mentors, and Educators with several members serving in these capacities within the SSA Referee Development Program.
While it is not necessary to take part in either program to achieve promotion, the programs are designed to help the individual become prepared and trained for the promotional upgrade programs.

Within the Saskatchewan Stream based model and moving towards standards based leagues, the chart above will help provide clarity and insight as to what are the necessary referee certification levels needed for different streams of participation.
By providing clarity future and current referees understand what levels they must work towards in order to reach the level they aspire to. Additionally, this information will support our Member Organizations in understanding what levels of referees are needed within the different streams they may operate in.
“Referees are a pivotal part of our game and game day environments and there has been tremendous work done over the past few years to elevate the quality and number of referees within the province. We remain steadfast in our commitment to the support and advancement of referees throughout the province. “– SSA Director of Soccer, Rahim Z Mohamed.
The Referee Standards chart outlines the minimum qualifications for different competitions across the province as well as laying out where the opportunities for referees to officiate at various competition lies.  Referees are able to read the matrix to set their own goals of where they want to see themselves officiating and determine the correct road to getting there.
Member Organizations can use the matrix to understand the level of referee required for their own programming as well as the referee level they would receive at provincial competitions.
Small Sided Referees and Courses are designed for game formats that don’t utilize Offside (Law 11) and are ideal for referees at a young age (12+).  Individuals at any age can receive Small Sided designation if the game format they are required to officiate only requires Small Sided Referees.
Game Leader Training is a program currently being designed. The objective of the Game Leader program is to allow for an improved, child friendly approach to supervising small sided games for children U6-U8 and creating more opportunities for parents to get involved. The Game Leader will be trained to achieve  the following objectives on  field:

1. Enable children to have a fun and rewarding experience while competing in small sided games.
2. Ensure player safety.
3. Implement simplified rules while keeping the game moving - limiting stoppages and assisting the young players with all restarts.

 
The Competitions Designation chart helps to outline the various competitions that reside in the different streams for participation in Saskatchewan. This provides additional clarity to referees as to what competitions require the certification for that specific stream and competition.
 

 
Any referee or Member Organization in Saskatchewan who would like information pertaining to the referee development are encourage to reach out to Steven Schmidt at crdsp@sasksoccer.com.