Officials

For those individuals wishing to become referees, here is the process:

1. Learn the rules of the game (the two rules of utmost importance are 13 and 17; see Rule 13 in the "Simplified Rules" of the Handbook, and Rule 17 below).
2. It would be a good idea to be able to play the game of squash. You then have an idea of what effort is required to make a shot.
3. Once you're comfortable with (1) and (2) above, contact me to arrange for an examination both written and oral. The oral demonstration of ability must take place during a competitive match (i.e. tournament).
4. If you successfully complete & above, Squash Canada is advised, and you are given a grade usually of "D4".

The following is information provided by the CSRA Officiating Program, and is applicable at the provincial level:

Upgrading Criteria & Procedures

All officiating candidates who successfully complete the CSRA written and practical officiating exams will be given an initial certification in the CSRA Officiating Program. Subsequently, certified officials may improve their level of certification by being upgraded to higher levels. Upgrading is achieved by gaining practical experience which is observed and assessed by a higher level of official. This official records his/her recommendation for upgrading in the official's Certification and Upgrading Card.

An official may make a maximum of ten attempts (at each level) for upgrading in matches with sufficient decisions. Five successful recommendations by two different assessors are required for upgrading, except when all assessments are made by Provincial of National Examiners in which case only three successful signatures are required. In both cases the referee/marker must be observed by two different assessors.

Procedures For Upgrading Marker

To be upgraded to a higher level of marker, the official must obtain five successful recommendations from at least two different higher certified officials, one of who must be a Provincial Examiner, observing the official solely in the role of marker.

To be upgraded to a level 1 marker, the official must obtain five successful signatures, one of which must be recommendation by a Provincial Examiner while marking a competitive match equivalent to the third round of play a the Canadian National Closed Championships. There is no minimum level of play required for upgrading to a level 2 or 3 marker.

Procedures For Upgrading Referees

Refereeing is by far the more difficult of the officiating roles. As a result, the upgrading requirements to improve the referee's rating are more demanding.

A referee is upgraded based upon assessments by selected officials with a higher certification level than the official being reviewed, except Provincial Examiners who may upgrade to their level of certification.

For upgrading purposes, the quality and number of decisions rendered by the candidate will be taken into consideration by the assessor. However, when evaluating the candidate's overall competence, the assessor will also consider the following:

i) the level of difficulty of all decisions made in the match;
ii) the number of decisions; and
iii) the number of clearly incorrect decisions given.

Upgrading To "C"

To be upgraded to "C", the level of match must be any interclub, local team, or individual competition involving "A" players. The candidate must give 10 correct decisions in each match and demonstrate competency at this level. One assessment must be given by a Provincial Examiner.

Upgrading To "B"

To be upgraded to "B", the level of play must be a competitive match equivalent to the quarter-finals of a major Provincial Championship or the early rounds of the Canadian National Closed Championships. The candidate must give 15 correct decisions in each match and the candidate must demonstrate competence at this level. A minimum of one assessment must be given by a Provincial Examiner. A verbal interview must be conducted by a Provincial Examiner.

Upgrading To "A"

To be upgraded to "A", the candidate must obtain five successful signatures from competitive matches equivalent to those involving the top 10 Canadian men and top 5 Canadian women (National Examiners will determine equivalencies). Twenty decisions, of which a sufficient number are deemed to be difficult by the assessor are required, and the candidate must be observed by two different National Examiners. A verbal interview shall be conducted by one of the National Examiners.

Aside from good general knowledge of the rules, the following is one that all officials at all levels must be aware of and must be ready to implement to prevent the game of squash from degenerating:

Rule 17

I will resolve to treat referees in my game with the respect I expect when I am refereeing.

Margret Boumford       D-4