2015 OMHA Referee Schools Announced
The Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) and Force Sports, sponsor of the OMHA Referee Program, will once again host three centralized Referee Schools to train and mentor new officials. The schools will run the weekend of September 25-27 in Trenton, Guelph and Windsor. This will be our 21st year of providing new officials with the start of their officiating experience.
The OMHA Referee Schools provide new officials with methods and procedures of officiating in both the 2 and 3 official systems. They will also instruct uniform interpretation of the rules while teaching effective communication strategies and techniques. By completing the weekend, students will acquire officiating skills and rule knowledge while completing OMHA and Hockey Canada certification requirements for the upcoming season.
The weekend will include an intensive, action packed agenda which will include three classroom instructional sessions, two on-ice training sessions and a final written certification exam.
“The Schools set the foundation for our new officials, providing the students a learning environment in the classroom that encourages participation and active on ice modules which illustrate the fundamentals of the officiating program” said Dave Wedlake, Technical Director of the OMHA’s Referee Program. “The OMHA has been delivering the Referee School Program for over 20 which indicates the high standard and value of this program.”
“The combination of classroom and on-ice sessions provides a unique learning environment for new officials.” stated Ian Taylor, OMHA Director of Development. “This program has been a starting point for numerous officials who have had a successful career officiating at the minor hockey level with some moving on to Junior, international and professional careers.”
Force Sports, the official sponsor of the OMHA Referee Program, provides each student with a School t-shirt, as well as other giveaways. Students will also receive a whistle, Hockey Canada Rule Book, an OMHA Membership Handbook for Officials, a Referee School Workbook, uniform crests from Hockey Canada, the Ontario Hockey Federation and the Ontario Minor Hockey Association.
Each year, over 850 new referees are trained in the Ontario Minor Hockey Association with 240 graduating from the OMHA Referee School program. There are currently over 4,500 active officials registered with the OMHA.
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