OFFICIALS DEVELOPMENT

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Structure of Football Officiating in Canada
Football Canada Officials' Certification Program (FCOCP)
Certification Levels

Coin Toss

Structure of Football Officiating in Canada

Football Canada	Football Canada is the governing body for amateur football in Canada. The National Office is located in Ottawa and provides programs for coaches, players and officials.
O.T.C.	The Officials’ Technical Committee of Football Canada develops officiating programs (certification, etc.) and officiating updates re: positioning, mechanics, etc. The O.T.C. consists of a number of experienced officials who represent the various regions of Canada. They meet at least once a year to review officiating procedures and programs. The O.T.C. members also serve as “Master Clinicians” who train CFOCP Course Conductors for the various levels of Certification. The O.T.C. solicits the help of local associations for input and feedback for the various programs and updates that are produced.
C.F.O.A.	Chartered in 1969, the Canadian Football Official’s Association (CFOA) consists of 35 – 40 autonomous member associations from across Canada. Implements programs for the development of officials through Football Canada training guidelines. Regional representatives form the C.F.O.A. Executive Committee, which administers the day-to-day affairs of the Association.
Provincial Football Association	Each province has a provincial body that administers football in the respective province. These bodies oversee the overall football program for their areas. They offer services to their membership in the form of coaches’ clinics, player development programs, administrative assistance and in some cases financial assistance for training programs.
Provincial Football Officials’ Association	A number of provinces have a provincial Officials Association which serves as an administrative body for amateur football officials in that province. It is responsible in part for the training of its membership by providing training materials and clinicians where necessary.
Local Football Officials’ Association	Local officials’ associations administer local F.O.A. affairs. This would include recruiting, local training programs, game assignments, etc.

Football Canada Officials' Certification Program (FCOCP)

The FCOCP provides a system, which will allow the amateur football official in Canada to progress through a standard program from a novice to a level completely consistent with the level of football played in his/her locale.

AIMS OF THE FCOCP

Standardization	To develop and implement standard methods and procedures of officiating in Canada.
Standardization of Positioning and Mechanics	To develop standard positioning and mechanics across Canada for 3, 4, 5 & 6 official systems. With the exchange program for officials for national playoffs (e.g. CIS) it has been seen that the CFOCP has been successful in that a crew can be brought together and work with very few, if any, variations in officiating procedures.
Standardization of Rules	To develop standard interpretation and application of rules. Various national conferences have been held and the regional representatives on the CFOA Executive and OTC work with local FOAs to assist in rules study, rule interpretations and their application.
Motivation	This is a system designed to provide incentives for officials. A higher level of certification opens officiating ‘doors’ for being assigned to work higher levels of play in various locales or for provincial, regional and/or national playoff games.
National Recognition	Officials are registered with the Football Canada national database upon successful completion of each level of certification. An official who transfers from one region to another will have his/her level of certification recognized. However, local associations may require some reassessment when an official transfers from one area to another.
Improvement of Image of Officials	To improve the image of football officials in the eyes of athletes, coaches, fans, administrators, and among official themselves through improved techniques and higher standards of officiating.
Improvement in Confidence	To assist participants to develop more confidence in their ability to perform their duties at a higher level of excellence.

Certification Levels

LEVEL I	To prepare the new official for assignment on the sideline (Head Linesman or Line Judge), in minor leagues and high school football.To begin the familiarization process with instructional techniques, training aids, and training manuals.
LEVEL II	To improve the official’s understanding of the sideline position and to refine sideline officiating mechanics.To prepare sideline officials for assignments in the Umpire positions in a 3 and/or 4 official system in minor and high school levels of football.
LEVEL III	To refine the officials understanding of the Umpire position – positioning and mechanics and to introduce the Umpire’s position in the 5 official system.To introduce the official to the Back Umpire position – 5 official system.To prepare officials for assignments to Referee positions in minor and high school football.
LEVEL IV	To prepare officials for assignment to any position in CIS or CJFL football. Officials will progress from position to position with experience at higher levels of play.Officials will be introduced to the six official system before introduction to CIS or CJFL levels of play.With experience, the official, at this level, may be assigned to any inter-provincial playoff games, including CIS and/or CJFL National playoff contests.
NOTES	With the exception of Level 1, certification at all levels is a two-part process, combining a Theory Clinic and a Practical On Field Evaluation.Written examinations have been prepared for each level. The content of the examination will be based partially on rules and partially officiating techniques and theory (Rules 25%, Theory 75%)

Standard passing marks have been set as follows:
LEVEL I - take home exam to be used as a teaching and reference aid
LEVEL II - 75%
LEVEL III - 80%
LEVEL IV - 85%

The On Field Evaluation is to be carried out on the work of an official on the playing field under actual game conditions. Evaluators must be entirely familiar with all aspects of the FCOCP in order to provide consistency in the evaluation process.

In addition to the Level Theory Clinic, an official must be given On Field Evaluation for each position at which he/she wishes to be certified. One does not have to be certified at each and every position but may wish to specialize in one or more positions. In order to retain a certain level of certification the official must be active at the level of play for which that level of certification is required.