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FAQs
How do I become an official?
The first step is to register for a new official clinic. Registrations for these clinics typically open in early - mid August, and run September through November in and around Edmonton. Clinic schedules and sign up links will be posted to the North Zone officials website when they are available.
After getting confirmation of available space with the Sherwood Park Clinic Coordinator, first year officials must complete the E-Hockey school online course. This must be completed before being able to register for the new officials clinic. The clinic is a full eight hours class and early dismissals are not permitted.
Once the online course and in person clinic are both complete, you are ready to officiate some games.
Officials must be 13 years of age before December 31 to be eligible to become an official each year.
What kind of time commitment do I need?
With the way we structure our assigning, the amount of time you commit is up to you. There are no minimum requirements, and many games are completed in 60 minutes, although we do require officials to arrive 30 minutes prior to game time.
What equipment do I need?
Required:
- Black Skates with White Laces
- Black Pants
- Officials Jersey
- Hockey Referee Whistle
- Acme Thunderer (recommended); OR
- Fox 40 Super Force
- CSA approved helmet and visor
- Hockey Canada and Hockey Alberta crests (these are purchased when registering for a clinic)
- Cash receipt book (available at the dollar store, double copy receipts work the best)
Recommended:
- Shin pads
- Shin tights
- Elbow pads
- Spare whistle
What fitness level is required?
As a guideline, officials should be at the same or higher fitness level than the players in the league they are officiating, in order to be able to keep up with the flow of the game. As you move up the officiating ranks you will notice a stronger emphasis being put on fitness and the shape that you are in.
How do I get assignments?
We use an online assigning system called Goalline for our game assignments. Once an official completes all the requirements for becoming an official, they will get an account in our system. In their account an official can set their availability for games. Our assigning team will assign games, typically 1-3 weeks in advance, and the official can then either accept or decline the game assignment.
Where will my assignments be?
Our association assigns officials for both SPMHA and SMHA, including SPKAC and SPS Fuzion. Our games are at all rinks in Sherwood Park, as well as Adrossan, Fultonvale (Strathcona Olympiette Centre), and Josephburg.
How many assignments will I get?
Number of assignments will depend heavily on
- levels an official is qualified to officiate
- availability of the official
- number of league games
Typically, as officials progress they will receive more games year over year. Each year we have officials doing anywhere from 10 to 100+ games per season.
How do I get more assignments?
The best way to get more assignments is to have an open availability, an eagerness to move up to higher levels of hockey, and letting your assignors know you are available for short-notice assignments.
How do I get paid?
For regular season games, officials will be paid cash at the game. Officials must provide receipts to the team/team managers. For some tournament and pre-season games, officials will be paid via cheque after the tournament / round is over. Pay rates can change year to year and will be posted on our website.
What if I’m assigned a game, then when I arrive there’s no game?
Contact your assignor, the assignor will then look into the details as to what happened. In most cases you will still receive payment for the game.
How do I move up to higher levels of hockey?
The two best ways to move up to higher levels of hockey are to get supervised from senior officials, and to perform supervisions on junior officials. Getting supervised is the best way to get qualified to do higher levels of hockey, and for our highest levels, we have minimum requirements for performing supervisions as well, to ensure we have sufficient development of our younger officials.
Where can I get more information?
Hockey Alberta Officials Website
Northzone Officials Website (currently under construction)
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