Officials
Officials Pathway
Level 1
The Level 1 Officials Clinic is designed for any participant to come away with a basic knowledge of short track and long track speed skating. Learn about the role of each official and what that official position does within a competition. Completion of this clinic and practicum requirements will allow the participant to apply for Level 1 Certification.
Content of the clinic will include interactive videos that will demonstrate:
- Starting procedure
- Referee calls
- Timers
- Place judges
- Track Stewards
Level 2
Intermediate knowledge of officiating including officiating at non-sanctioned local, sanctioned regional/provincial, and sanctioned national competitions
Level 3B-A
Advanced knowledge of officiating including officiating at sanctioned provincial/national competitions
Official Development
official certification
The officials accreditation system used in speed skating is jointly administered by Speed Skating BC (Level 1-2) and Speed Skating Canada (Level 3-5). Certification includes five (5) levels for referees and three (3) levels for competition stewards, meet coordinators, timers, finish line judges, announcers, and recorders.
OFFICIAL RECOGNITION
All officials have a place to participate in running a competition. Speed Skating BC recognizes community sport officials such as young officials to provincial officials.
Learn Short Track starting rules courtesy of the Ottawa Pacers.
Learn long track basics before starting long track racing courtesy of the Ottawa Pacers.
Upgrading certification
- Level 1 Officials Clinic
- Assist in a position at a minimum of 2 events (at least 1 must be SSBC-sanctioned)
- Submission of online upgrade request form; ODC may request a performance evaluation
- Level 2 Clinic (where applicable: ie. Meet Coordinator, Recorder, Timer, Judge, Announcer, Referee, Starter)
- Chief in a position at a minimum of 2 SSBC-sanctioned competitions
- Assist in a position at a minimum of SSC-sanctioned competitions
- Submission of online upgrade request form, supported by performance evaluation form
- Level 3 Clinic (where applicable: i.e., Meet Coordinator, Recorder, Referee, Starter)
- Chief in a position at a minimum of 3 SSBC-sanctioned competitions
- Assist in a minimum of of 3 SSC-sanctioned national/international competitions
- Submission of upgrade request by email to officialsdevelopment@nullbcspeedskating.ca prior to submission to Speed Skating Canada
- Instruct a Level 1 Officials Clinic (Referees only)
- Chief in a position at a minimum of 3 SSC-sanctioned competitions
- Assist in a minimum of of 3 SSC-sanctioned national/international competitions
- Submission of upgrade supported by 2 performance evaluation forms request by email to officialsdevelopment@nullbcspeedskating.ca prior to submission to Speed Skating Canada
Resources
Most officials will start their officiating journey as a club volunteer (no formal training required), being informally mentored by a Certified Official in one of many positions: referee, starter, meet coordinator/competitors steward, recorder, timer, place judge, lap counter, heat box steward (clerk of the course), announcer, track steward, and other volunteer roles (runner, water buckets, gatekeeper, hospitality etc.).
