How do I Upgrade?

Referees who wish to develop their skills to work in higher level games may enter an Upgrading Program.

Referees who have completed one full season as a district referee are eligible to apply for the Regional Upgrade program. All applications will be reviewed by the Referee Development Committee.

Referees in the program must:

  • Attend a two day Regional Upgrade Clinic.
  • Pass the Regional Laws of the Game exam.
  • Pass a fitness test at the Regional Level, in their upgrading year.
  • Achieve an ‘above average’ mark in at least three on-field assessments, in their upgrading year.

For fitness or assessment requirements, click on the tabs.

All regional referees are eligible to apply for the Provincial Upgrade program. All applications will be reviewed by the Referee Development Committee.

Referees in the program must:

  • Attend a two day Provincial Upgrade Clinic.
  • Pass the Provincial Laws of the Game exam.
  • Pass a fitness test at the Provincial Level, in their upgrading year.
  • Achieve an ‘above average’ mark in at least three on-field assessments, in their upgrading year.

Note – there are two different Provincial Upgrade Clinics offered:

  1. Canada Soccer offers a centralized course for upgrade candidates who are nominated by their province. This is for candidates who will potentially seek to advance to the National list in future years.
  2. Each province may offer their own course. This is for candidates who will not be seeking a future advancement to the National list, and is open to all Regional referees.

For fitness or assessment requirements, click on the tabs.

Regional Referees or those in the Regional Upgrade program will take the Beep Test.

Category Beep Test Standards
Men – Regional Complete Level 8
Women – Regional Complete Level 7

Provincial Referees or those in the Provincial Upgrade program will take the FIFA High Intensity Interval Test.

Category High Intensity Fitness Test Standards
  Sprints Interval Run
Men – Provincial 6.4 sec 15/20 sec/4000m – 75m run/25m walk
Women – Provincial 6.8 sec 17/22 sec/4000m – 75m run/25m walk

For more details of the fitness test requirements and procedures – click here 

In order to successfully upgrade, a candidate must achieve an ‘above expectations’ mark in at least three, on-field assessments, during their upgrading year.

  • Assessments are often done on games with assistant referees assigned, but this is not a requirement, particularly in the Regional upgrade program.
  • Referees in the Upgrade programs are responsible for ensuring that the RDC Assessor Assignor in their part of the province is aware of all of their upcoming games, so that assessments can be scheduled.

The assessor assignors in Alberta are:

  • North (north of Red Deer): Owen Procter – email
  • South (Red Deer and south): Laurie Hastings – email

‘Maintenance’ assessments are also carried out from time to time on referees at all levels. If you wish to request an assessment on one of your games, please contact the appropriate assessor assignor. Please give as much notice as possible, to increase your chances of being assessed.

This page contains the names of officials who achieved the level of Provincial Referee or higher in their career. If you know of anyone who should be included, please email – refs@albertasoccer.com

National or Higher
Al Vandenberg (National Referee)
Ann Blackwood (FIFA AR)
Bob Barclay (National Referee)
Brian Skelly (National Refreree)
Cam Blair (National AR)
Charlene Douglas (FIFA AR)
Darci Kruse (FIFA Referee)
David Gantar (FIFA Referee)
David Stasiak (National Referee)
Dereck Illingworth (National AR)
Derek Douglas (FIFA Referee)
Doug Bewick (National Referee)
Fabrizio Romano (National Referee)
George Hunter (National Referee)
George Thomson (National Referee)
Harry Johnson (FIFA Referee)
Herb Siedl (National Referee)
Hugh McFadzean (National Referee)
John Kerr Sr. (National Referee)
Kevin Jones (National Referee)
Kevin Skinner (FIFA Referee)
Kieran McGarrigle (National Referee)
Kim Chalmers (FIFA AR)
Lorne Soles (National Referee)
Mike Seifert (FIFA Referee)
Sheena Dickson (FIFA Referee)
Teddy Julliussen (National Referee)
Thad Pokorski (National Referee)
Provincial
Adam Smith
Al Jaworsky
Alex Rufibach
Amanda Trenchard
Andrew Cobb
Andrew Dence
Andrew Ungar
Angelos Scapetorachis
Bruce Primeau (Nominated National)
Calvin David (Nominated National)
Cameron Graham
Charles Vanderwindt
Danny Bowie
David Hornbeck (Nominated National)
David Kennedy
David McDonald
David O’Neill
Deryl Coe
Duc Nguyen
Enric Pequeno
Eric Villeneuve (Nominated National)
Fred Ruggier
Garry Brogan
Garth Elgie
Gene Principe (Nominated National)
George Corall
Gerry Sheilan
Jack Blair
Jack Bushnell
Jesse Ditosto
Jim Fleming
Jim Hart
Jim Moore
John Hayes (Nominated National)
John Kerr Jr.
Josh Reid
Josh Smith
Kelly Hammond
Ken Loudon
Laurence Stein
Len Flint
Leo Donlevy
Lorand Kato
Madi Tanashi
Malcolm Pritchard
Mark Olsen
Mark Pasternak
Mark Tyndale
Matt Elgie
Melissa Sargent
Micah Kooperberg
Mike Howlett
Mike Pleiter
Milan Bartosz
Murray Milavsky
Nathan Gerbrecht
Paul Andrew
Peter Witts
Richard Dixon
Richard Sansregret (Nominated National)
Rob Michalowski
Rob Urquhart
Rod Keys
Rodger Pierce
Rodney Slade
Sara Bradshaw
Stanley Rawson
Steve Papp
Stu Murray
Sue Vanderwindt
Terry Day
Tom Williams
Tony Geary
Trent Nabe
Trevor Stefishen
Vince Heron
Vladimir Bado
Wayne Telfer
William Boyko
William Crawford