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lease note the following information for referee courses in 2021.
Entry Level courses can be requested in the Fall months if you need new referees to support your programs.
We are following the same format as we did in the spring/summer months of 2021. Pre-course modules, online webinar, online exam, practical field session. The course must be requested 21 days prior to your field session so that participants have sufficient time to complete all steps.
When the requested is submitted in Refcentre, book 2 sessions with the date and time of your practical session. This should only be done after you have confirmed the venue for the practical session, in particular if it is something that you need to book with a third party. Alberta Soccer will adjust the webinar date and time, based on instructor and online platform availability.
There are still two payment options:
Indoor Refresher (Boarded) – will be offered online by Alberta Soccer in the same format as we had for outdoor refresher. The first refreshers will be offered on September 15th and 16th, with two per week until demand drops off. Districts do not have to arrange anything for these other than reminding your referees that they need to take one to referee boarded soccer. Alberta Soccer will also be reminding referees of this requirement.
Indoor Conversion (Boarded) – will be offered as online pre-course modules, 2.5 hour online webinar and a 1 hour field session, preferably on an indoor boarded field. These courses will be requested by individual districts, so that they coordinate with field sessions. To ensure instructor and online resource availability, they should be requested no less than 10 days in advance of the field session. If you are planning to host an Entry Level course, the conversion field session should be scheduled at least two weeks after the Entry Level field session. This is to allow people time to complete the online and webinar portion.
Futsal Conversion – to be determined.
Futsal Refresher – to be determined.
The outdoor soccer season is just around the corner so if you are interested in becoming a referee, please register for these FREE courses at www.refcentre.com/alberta.
Make sure you sign up soon, as spots fill up quickly.
Please see the poster below for details.
Step 1 – Search for a course
Step 2 – Select an appropriate course
Step 3 – Complete the profile information
Step 4 – Approval for Course and Pre-course Work
Step 5 – Logging back In for pre-course work, confirming course status etc.
A one-day introductory course for people 12 years and older (on or before May 15th), who would like to referee U9 and younger only. As of 2020, all Mini Referee Courses include AR training.
Students are supplied with – 7 v 7 Rules of Mini Soccer, referee badge and whistle.
Note – All Mini courses are currently postponed until COVID 19 restrictions are lifted. Please check back later.
Mini Courses run in the spring, in preparation for the outdoor season, but occasionally are run at other times of the year.
A 14 hour, introductory course for people 14 years or older (on or before May 15th), who would like to referee U11, 8v8, U13 and older 11v11, or act as an assistant referee (linesman) at any level. Note – for 2021 the course is made up of – online modules, webinar instruction, online exam and finally a practical training session. Details are available in Refcentre as you go through the registration process.
The course covers:
Students are supplied with:
Note – some districts or clubs supply additional items, such as referee uniforms, assistant flags etc.
After successfully completing the course, referees are classified as follows:
Search for an Entry Level Course
Note – March 1st, 2021 update. Entry Level courses for 2021 will be posted in Refcentre when they are requested by districts and clubs. If nothing is available in your area, please check back later.
Entry Level courses usually run in the spring, in preparation for the outdoor season, but occasionally are run at other times of the year. If you want to officiate indoor soccer, you must take an Entry Level course as a prerequisite before taking a Conversion course to obtain the required certification.
• Referee registration is a requirement of the Canadian Soccer Association
• Registration provides referees with insurance – Commercial General Liability, Sport Accident and Excess Travel Insurance protection.
• Registration allows Alberta Soccer to have your most up to date contact information.
• The opportunity to officiate in affiliated soccer. Note – assignors will only use registered officials.
• The opportunity to represent their club, district and region at provincial levels;
• An annual refresher course.
• The opportunity to be identified for upgrading,
• Ability to display the Canadian Soccer Association badge (issued upon successful completion of Entry Level Clinic).
• FIFA “Laws of the Game” provided free each year
• More opportunities to receive mentoring and district assessments.
• Insurance coverage.
• All referees must re-register annually (due by March 31st) – note, the registration process opens on the first business day of February each year. Registrations entered after March 31st will be subject to a late fee.
• Log in to your referee account at – www.refcentre.com
• Follow the steps to register.
• Pay your registration fees to Alberta Soccer by one of the methods offered.
• Note – Mini referees do not have to pay, but must still complete the ‘registration’ step.
• Complete the online refresher questionnaire. (not required for Mini referees)
• Sign up for and attend a refresher course. (not required for Mini referees)
• Refresher courses help with the transition between indoor and outdoor seasons.
• Updated copies of Laws of the Game and Rules of Indoor Soccer are distributed at refresher courses.
• Law and Rule changes will be reviewed.
• Referees are guided with regard to common concerns in the soccer community
• Referees get a chance to meet other referees and learn from each other.
If you have not registered as a referee for two full seasons, you will need to take an Entry Level course to return. The only exception to this is for referees with more than 5 years’ experience, who have been away for 5 years or less, who may challenge the current Entry Level exam with approval from the Referee Development Committee.
If you have a question you’d like answered that does not appear in the FAQ – please send an email
Please click the link below for Misconduct Report Forms.
Click here for the Outdoor Referee Mentor Evaluation Form.
If you are unsure of the level of referee that you are, please review the document below
Please see the link below from ASA in regards to the Referee Program.
Take this link to get information on the Medicine Hat Soccer District Referee Association (MHSDRA).
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