How do I Upgrade?

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.

2024 Provincial Promotional Criteria
2024 Provincial Upgrade Application Form

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

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

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
South (Red Deer and south): Laurie Hastings

‘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.