2018/19 REFEREE & TIMEKEEPERS APPLICATIONS
Applicants that are 18 years of age or older must provide a Police Clearance with Vulnerable Sector Screening with application. Police Clearance must be dated 2014 or newer. Applications are accepted in person at the BLOMHA office. Deadline for returning officials is August 15, 2017. Applications for new officials to BLOMHA will be accepted until August 31, 2017. Timekeeper applications will be accepted until August 8, 2017.
BECOMING A BLOMHA REFEREE
In order to participate in the tryouts to become a BLOMHA Referee you must be at least 14 years old and fill out an application during the summer. Applications are available at the BLOMHA office or above. Someone from the Officiating Committee will communicate with you in August/September on the next steps in the process.
There are usually 35 to 40 applicants, and on average there are 10-15 positions available. You will be invited to an on-ice session for evaluation of your skating skills. The best skaters of the group will be kept.
Two or three evaluators grade the applicants. The highest scorers will be selected to become an official.
If you are selected, you must attend an Alliance Level 1 Referee Clinic in October and you will be ready to start officiating in November. The cost of the clinic is approximately $140, and you will be reimbursed 50% of this cost prior to the conclusion of the season and 50% at the start of the following season if you return to officiate with BLOMHA. You are required to purchase your referee's uniform.
This is a considerable investment, so make sure your commitment is for the long term. For the first season you may only officiate two to three games a week. If you continue as an official for several years, and you put a lot of effort into the program, you will have the opportunity to advance to Level 2 and 3 which will result in more responsibility and more financial reward.
In order to be considered for level 2 upgrade you must be 16 years old and pass the written test during the annual recertification.
In order to be considered for level 3 upgrade you must have been officiating at level 2 for at least 2 years AND you must demonstrate excellent on-ice skills, be recommended by a supervisor, attend a level 3 certification clinic, successfully complete a written test and complete 2 successful on-ice evaluations.
Hockey officials must be certified every year. This means you must attend, and be successful on the written test, a HCOP Certification Clinic before each season, otherwise you will not be allowed to officiate. The cost of the clinic is $120 - $140 each year. If you are selected to advance to Level 3 and are successful you will be reimbursed the cost of this certification once you are certified at the level which normally takes place the following season upon successful evaluations.