Referee Upgrade Program

The sport of soccer follows a pathway for registering and promoting referees from the local to international levels of competition. Referees who would like to pursue the next level of course will participate in the SSA Referee Upgrade Program.

Regional Referee Upgrade Program

The Regional Referee Upgrade Program is for registered, In good standing, district referees who are seeking promotion to the regional list of referees in Saskatchewan.

The candidate referee is required to complete a two-day education session, pass a fitness test, pass assessments, and a Laws of the Game exam. The Promotion will be based on the Referee's practical performance on the field of play. This will be determined by considering the Marks and Assessments by Assessors over the qualifying games.

Prerequisites to Enter the Program

Must have a minimum of one year experience as a district referee.

Prior to application, must have received a recommendation to enter the program from your Member Organization/Referee Association, or an SSA Referee Development Committee Member.

Referee in a minimum of 20 qualifying 11 aside games for players over the age of 16.

Participate as an assistant referee in a minimum of 5 qualifying games (for players over the age of 16).

The upgrading referee is required to complete and submit a log of the qualifying games.

Program Fee

The cost of the program is $75.00. Payment must be submitted at the same time with the registration form. The program fee includes:

Regional referee course - two days of in-class training

Access to fitness testing

One pre-course assessment, if needed

Three Assessments throughout the year

Requirements for Successful Upgrade to a Regional Referee

Take part in the Regional Referee course.

Pass multiple choice exam with a mark of 80% or higher. The exam is based on the Laws of the Game and is hosted online yearly by Canada Soccer.

Pass the SSA administered fitness test at the required CSA standards.

Receive a minimum of 2 assessments as a referee over the period of 20 qualifying games and at least 1 as an assistant referee.

Referees have 2 years to complete all requirements. The program fee will need to be paid each year.

Upgrade decisions will be made by the SSA Referee Development committee at the end of each registration year.

Provincial Referee Upgrade Program

The Provincial Referee Upgrade Program is for regional referee who are seeking promotion to the provincial list of referees in Saskatchewan. Canada Soccer is responsible for this program and runs a course, once a year, for all participants in the country. For more details on the Provincial Upgrade Program, visit the Appendix D in the SSA Referee Pathway to Success.

The candidate referee is required to pass a fitness test, complete a two-day, out-of-province education session, pass assessments, and a Laws of the Game exam. The Promotion will be based on the Referee's practical performance on the field of play. This will be determined by considering the Marks and Assessments by Assessors over the qualifying games.

Prerequisites to Enter the Program

Must perform at an outstanding level (above class) as a regional referee as determined by the SSA assessments

Must express an interest to SSA Manager of Referee Development

Program Fee

The cost of the program is $75.00, Payment must be submitted at the same time with the registration form. The program fee includes:

Access to fitness testing

Three Assessments throughout the year

Prerequisites to Attend the 2 day Canada Soccer In-Service Upgrading Course

Must have run and passed the provincial referee fitness standard by an established date set by SSA/CSA

Must have written and passed the provincial referee upgrading exam with a mark of 80% or higher

Requirements for Successful Upgrade to a Provincial Referee

Pass fitness test at the provincial referee standard prior to attending the in-service education session.

Pass multiple choice exam with a mark of 80% or higher. The exam will be written prior to the in-service training session, and is based on the Laws of the Game.

Referee in a minimum of 20 qualifying games (players over the age of 16).

Participate as an assistant referee in a minimum of 5 qualifying games (players over the age of 16).

Receive a minimum of 3 assessments as a referee and assistant referee over the period of 20 qualifying games.

Assessments are reviewed by the SSA Referee Development Committee at the end of the year. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee upgrade to Provincial referee.

Referees have two seasons to complete requirements. Referees who fail to complete the requirements will be required to re-start the program if they wish to continue with their upgrade.