Case Study: Canadian Squash Officiating Program

Danny Da Costa, Squash Canada Executive Director

 CANADIAN OFFICIATING
PROGRAM LANDSCAPE
Squash Canada has been at the forefront of Officials
Development globally for the past 20 years
Many federations have used Squash Canadas officiating
program to certify their own referees these include:
Caribbean Area Squash Association
Pan American Squash Federation (FPS)
US Squash, Bermuda, Barbados, Cayman Island
federations for officiating training and development
3 current World Squash Federation (WSF) World
Referees: Graham waters (ex- Director of Referees,
WSF), Wayne Smith (North American Director for FPS,
WSF and Rod Symington (Director of Referees, WSF)

BUT THERE IS A NEED FOR OFFICIATING REFORM

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 THE NEED FOR CHANGE

Changes to Squash Canada officiating program began in the fall of 2012 based on
feedback from the Canadian squash community.
The changes were deemed necessary for the following reasons:
1. The need for the Provincial/Territorial associations (P/Ts) and Squash Canada to
increase the numbers of certified officials in Canada More Officials
2. The need to facilitate the entry of interested people into the program New officials
3. The need to facilitate the progression of officials through the program Better trained
officials
4. The need to change the name of the officiating courses to align to the principles of
Long Term Officiating Development (LTOD) and competency based training
5. To ensure the entire officiating pathway aligns to the World Squash Federation
Competency Structure
GOAL: MORE & BETTER OFFICIALS FOR CANADIAN SQUASH

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 FUNDAMENTAL REASONS:
FOR THE CHANGE
The current officiating structure has been in place for over 20+ years and consists
of 4 levels: D (Novice), B, C, A (Advanced); the structure also contained a marker
designation 4 (low) 1 (highest) i.e., An entry level referee is classified D4; top
officials are classified as A1
Formal education process took place only at the entry point and consists of in-
classroom presentation made by course conductor on rules and certification material -
remaining levels relied on assessments and experience as a referee
Progression through the various levels consisted of obtaining signatures from
different assessors and relied on a number of variables: difficulty of the match;
player levels; who the assessor was (PE / NE) and required number of correct
decisions. More than 50% of assessments do not count.
The entire process from the D level official to National level referee could take
between 6 to 10 years depending on activity and progression
Not enough opportunities for officials to progress and not enough assessors at
the Provincial & National Level to conduct assessments.

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 NEW COMPETENCY BASED
STRUCTURE (CBS)
PURPOSE:
The purpose of the new competency based structure is to determine the following:

1. What are the appropriate skills that should be taught at each level of Squash Canadas
Certification levels?
2. What skills should be tested and/or evaluated at each level of certification?
3. What are the requirements of a candidate to achieve certification at each level of
certification?
4. What are the next steps for a candidate to progress through the certification pathway?
5. What are the mechanisms for equivalency, re-assessment and in-activity?

*** PROCESS IS CURRENTLY BEING DEVELOPED BY SQUASH

CANADAS OFFICIATING COMMITTEE & EXPERT PANEL

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 A TWO STREAM APPROACH

THE NEW CERTIFICATION STRUCTURE: a two stream approach

The existing certification structure was a 4 step process from novice (D) to national (A) level
certification. The new structure will be split into two streams:
1. Community Competition Stream Referees who officiate at the Club or Local Level
2. Provincial / National Competition Stream Referees who officiate at Provincial & National Level and
lower level professional matches
3. International Competition Stream Referees who officiate at major international competitions,
professional matches and receive designations of FPS Regional Referee and/or World Referee

Community Competition Provincial / National Stream

Stream PERFORMANCE PATHWAY
ACTIVE FOR LIFE
Old New Old New
Certification Certification Certification Certification
D Level Club Referee B Level Provincial
Referee
C Level Local Referee A Level National Referee
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 COMMUNITY COMPETITION
STREAM
CLUB REFEREE: THE NOVICE OFFICIAL
The Club Referee officiates at the local club level, officiating club events, leagues and
round-robin matches. The Club Referee forms the basis of officiating education in Canada.

The Club Referee achieves certification by attending either an in-class certification

clinic and scoring 80% on the written test or completing the Online Club Referee
Certification e-learning course by achieving 80% on the written test. (Written test is
required for both online and in-class clinics).
There is no on-court assessment for the first level of certification.

LOCAL REFEREE: COMPETENT LOCAL OFFICIAL

The Local Referee mainly officiates at the community level, officiating club events, leagues,
round robin matches and at small provincial/territorial squash events. By successfully
completing the Club Referee certification, a referee may begin progressing through the
certification system.
To achieve the Local Referee Certification a referee must successfully achieve the
required number of points through match assessments as well as achieving a pre-
determined # of points for each of the 5 competencies
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 PROVINCIAL / NATIONAL
COMPETITION STRUCTURE
PROVINCIAL & NATIONAL REFEREE:
The Provincial and National Referee Certification
processes are designed for officials who wish to officiate
competitive Provincial/Territorial and National Events.
Provincial Referee is an experienced official capable of
handling matches equivalent to the early rounds of a
national championship.
National Referee is an official capable of handling
matches at any level.

To achieve the Provincial or National Referee

Certification a referee must successfully achieve the
required number of points through match
assessments as well as achieving a pre-determined #
of points for each of the 5 competencies

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 HOW THE NEW COMPETENCY
STRUCTURE WILL EVALUATE OFFICIALS?

BASIC COMPETENCIES: (STILL IN DEVELOPMENT)

The following competencies form the basis for evaluation:
1. Decisions relating to access decisions
2. Decisions relating to swing decisions
3. Decisions relating to player-hit-by-ball decisions
4. Match Management this area includes: confidence as a referee, communication /
control / explanations, dealing with player behaviour, dealing with injury and illness,
influential interference decisions and advisories, knowledge of the rules
5. Marker Performance this area includes: confidence as a marker, projection of voice,
speed and alertness of calls, frequency of errors
Evaluation is based on accumulating points and making correct decisions within each
competency to progress through the officiating system

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 POINT STRUCTURE FOR NEW
COMPETENCY BASED SYSTEM

EXAMPLE: Proposed structure utilizes both points attained

and correct decisions
Course Exam Access Swing Player Match Marker
Decisions Decisions hit by Managem Performa
ball ent nce
Decisions
Designati
on

Club Online or 80% None None None None None

in-Class
Local Live None 100 pts. 50 pts. 20 pts. 50 pts. 50 pts.
demo & 10 d 5 d 2 d
practice?
Provin Advance 80% 150 pts. 75 pts. 25 pts. 60 pts. 60 pts.
cial d Online 30 d 15 d 5 d

Nation Advance 80% 200 pts. 100 pts. 35 pts. 70 pts. 70 pts.
al d online 65 d 35 d 12 d
or verbal
interview
?

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 THE CLUB REFEREE COURSE:

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 A MODERN APPROACH

CLUB REFEREE E-LEARNING CERTIFICATION COURSE:

The Club Referee represents a significant technological advancement for the officiating
certification program in Canada. The Club Referee program allows players of all levels,
coaches and prospective officials to become certified across Canada and around the World
regardless of where they reside
Course Highlights:
Ability to move through various learning chapters (course competencies)
Use of high definition video examples with explanations
Images and descriptions on the rules of squash
Pop-up quiz & test questions at the end of various learning chapters
Downloadable resources including the rules of squash
Certificate automatically generated to successful candidates upon completion
Officials database & report generator for administrative purposes

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 PROCESS USED TO CREATE THE
CLUB REFEREE COURSE
Expert panel formed consisting of leading squash officials as well as a project manager

Technology provider sought to host platform (Blue Drop Performance Learning) St. Johns,
NL.

Expert panel met weekly to build the curriculum architecture plan and ultimately the course
curriculum and examination.
Permission was sought to use video clips & images from the Professional Squash
Association, Womens Squash Association and the World Squash Federation

Content was built and reviewed by Squash Canadas Officiating Committee, Provincial &
National Examiners, World Squash Federation Referees Committee and PSO Executive
Directors

Content was uploaded using Articulate Software (e-Learning Software), platform was tested
internally and externally (2 Free Demo Courses & 2 Official Club Referee Courses)

A marketing and promotions plan was created; the course curriculum was translated and
onboarding instructions were developed for first time users; Course launched Sept 2013
Monitor Results

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 CLUB REFEREE
COURSE BENEFITS
The course provides a number of key benefits to the
consumer:
1. Efficiency Learn at your own pace and on your own
time
2. Learner Center Focused course has been designed
to focus on the needs of the consumer (rules, safety,
interference, match management)
3. Anyone, anywhere can take this course course is
accessible to anyone anywhere in the world in 2 official
languages; V2 will contain Spanish and possibly
Portuguese
4. Ability to revisit the course and access updates
once you own the course you can revisit the course as
needed and you will have access to any updates made
to the curriculum content
5. Curriculum content is fully aligned to the rules of
squash and competency based structure of the
World Squash Federation
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 HOW THE COURSE BENEFITS
SQUASH?
There are a number of key benefits for club
professionals, prospective officials, club managers
and squash enthusiasts:
1. Safety people taking this course will have a
better understanding of the rules of squash
leading to fewer on-court injuries and lowering
insurance premiums to clubs and individuals
2. Better relationships between Referee and
Players players taking the course will develop
a better understanding of how difficult it can be
to be a referee
3. Better understanding of the game & rules of
squash the course will benefit the overall
game of squash as people will develop a better
understanding of the rules which should
ultimately improve the overall presentation of
the game.

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 EARLY RETURNS

SINCE THE LAUNCH ON SEPT 3, 2013:

81 people have joined Squash Canadas learning channel in the first 19 days of the
launch over 20 people have certified under Club Referee Course
Numerous Pan American Region countries are interested in partnering with Squash
Canada to promote the program within their own countries
World Squash Federation is also interested in using the platform to certify officials at
the entry level worldwide official endorsement and potential agreement forth coming
Provincial/Territorial Squash Associations are beginning to promote the course within
clubs, at tournaments and in league play
A leading squash information company is interested in partnering with Squash Canada
to promote the product on their website which receives millions of visitors annually.

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 NEXT STEPS:
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
1. Club Referee to receive World Squash
Federation endorsement
2. Partnerships formed with International
Federations to promote and sell the
course
3. Provincial/Territorial Squash Associations
to implement &/or mandate the course at
the provincial level for provincial rankings
and/or league participation
4. Competency based structure fully
aligned across all levels of certification
5. Development of a assessor training
program
6. Development of advanced course for
Provincial and National Referees training

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 CLUB REFEREE CERTIFICATION

Squash Canadas Club Referee Course can be viewed and purchased by visiting the
following link: http://coursepark.com/squashcanada
The DEMO COURSE is free and available in both official languages
The CLUB REFEREE COURSE is available for purchase through PayPal for $30.00 CDN.

For more information contact: Danny Da Costa, Executive Director

Tel: (613) 731 7385 x 2301 or via email: ddacosta@squash.ca

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