Entry-level (C4) Courses will begin in March 2008. The course format will include 3 - two hour classroom sessions held preferably on different days with a 6 hour on-field session outside after the classroom instruction has been completed. Classroom sessions may begin in March while the outside sessions may need the better weather usually seen beginning in April in most parts of the Province.
All new people interested in refereeing must attend the Entry-Level (C4) Course. In 2008 only participants 13 years of age or older as of April 1, 2008 will be eligible to attend. If an individual takes the course and is not age eligible that person will have to re-take the course when they are age eligible.
Individuals interested in taking the course should contact their Club for information.
The cost of the course per individual is $47.00. The fee includes cost of instruction, registration for the first year and course materials. Please note: a host organization may also add a nominal charge to offset costs to host the course.
The Host application was posted in December. Once applications are received a list of courses will be posted on-line.
CHANGES TO LOOK FOR
The Canadian Soccer Association is standardizing the Entry Level Course across the county therefore changes are coming on how the entry level course will be administered. In 2008 the Ontario Soccer Association has committed to piloting this new course (in already selected areas), however will not implement full change until the 2009 clinic season.
Among the changes to the Entry Level course, the focus of this course will be on refereeing 11 v 11 soccer. With that change there will be a change to the minimum age a referee can be to take this course and ultimately referee 11 v 11 soccer. That age will be 14 years old as of April 1. This will not come into effect until 2009 either. Therefore in 2008 the C4 course will be remainintg the same with the only change will be the minimum age has been increased to 13 years old.
The changes from the CSA leaves a gap for mini soccer referees. The OSA Referee Development department is currently working on a mini soccer referee course. This course will be designed for 12 and 13 year old referees only. The course will give the referee a one year certification to referee mini soccer. The Referee Department will be piloting this course with clubs in 2008 and have this course ready for a full launch for the 2009 season. More details on this course will be forthcoming.
If there are any questions please contact Greg Carr atgcarr@soccer.on.ca