Whitby Minor Hockey Association

How to Get Started

Referees perform a vital role in the game at all levels and demand for their services is on the increase.

The Hockey Canada Officiating Program is for anyone interested in officiating the great game of hockey, from beginners to seasoned veterans.

There are 3 main categories of Officials for WMHA, with different application processes for each. Please refer to the information below on how to apply.

Any questions or concerns regarding the process should be directed to Tom Carter, Referee-In-Chief for Whitby Minor Hockey at refereeinchief@whitbyhockey.com.

NEW OFFICIALS – 14 or 15 YEARS OF AGE

New Officials are 14 or 15 years of age as of December 31st of the current season, with no previous experience as a Hockey Canada Official. Positions are only available to individuals who meet the following criteria and complete the following tasks:

• New Officials wishing to join WMHA must currently be participating in Whitby Minor Hockey as a player.
• Completion of an application for Referee (available here) - deadline for submission is Monday, August 27, 2012
• Attendance and successful completion of an on-ice evaluation session
• Attendance at an information session for prospective Referees

Prior to the start of the season, the number of new House league Referees required would be assessed based on a number of factors, including attrition, changes to the WMHA program, as well as an assessment of games per Referee appropriate to be assigned.

All qualified candidates will be entered into a numerical lottery. The candidates would then be offered positions in order of their lottery position until the positions for New Officials 14 or 15 years have been filled.

Once selected, prospective candidates would be required to attend and successfully an HCOP Entry Level Clinic or school. This course is delivered by the OMHA. Details on upcoming clinics will be posted online at the following site http://www.omha.net/flash.asp?page_id=385.

NEW OFFICIALS – 16 YEARS OF AGE and ABOVE

New Officials 16 years of age or older as of December 31st of the current season, with no previous experience as a Hockey Canada Official. Positions are only available to individuals who meet the following criteria and complete the following tasks:

• Eligible players must currently be participating in Whitby Minor Hockey as a player
• Completion of an application for Referee (available here) - deadline for submission is Monday, August 27, 2012
• Attendance and successful completion of an on-ice evaluation session
• Attendance at an information session for prospective Referees

All qualified candidates will be entered into a numerical lottery. The candidates would then be offered positions in order of their lottery position until the positions for New Officials 16 years of age or older have been filled.

EXPERIENCED OFFICIALS – 16 YEARS OF AGE and ABOVE

In order to meet with the needs of the Association, experienced Officials will be offered positions first. The Officials have generally either moved into the Association from another jurisdiction, or are Whitby residents who have previously been unable to find a position within WMHA, and have been skating elsewhere, such as Whitby Girls, Ajax Minor, or Oshawa Minor. These candidates ARE still required to complete an application, attend the information session, and successfully complete the on-ice evaluation.

Prospective new Officials at this age group would be placed in a separate lottery (as required) based on meeting the same criteria as new House league Officials, and offered positions in order based upon need.

Experienced Officials who notify us of their moving into our Association will be accepted as OMHA Officials and assigned accordingly.

Lottery positions will not carry over into the next season however should a need arise during the season, current lottery positions will be used to offer positions.