Greetings Ontario Officials!
We wish to welcome you to the 2024 Ontario Lacrosse season. Officiating lacrosse is truly a rewarding experience. Referees and umpires are crucial to the sport - without them, we cannot play. There are many reasons why people begin officiating, and even more reasons why we return year after year.
We have some exciting changes for the clinic registration process that we are excited to share with you. While the pandemic is not over, we are looking forward to a more traditional clinic format to usher in the 2024 season.
On behalf of the Ontario Lacrosse Association and the Ontario Lacrosse Officials Association, I wish you a safe and enjoyable year together.
See you on the fields and floors,
Ian Garrison
OLA VP Officiating
Ontario Lacrosse Association
Frequently Asked Questions:
How old do I have to be to officiate?
The minimum age in all sectors is 14. If you are 14 years old (or you're turning 14 in 2024), you're eligible! If you're younger than 14, get in touch with your lacrosse association about opportunities to begin timekeeping/scorekeeping!
Is certification an annual requirement?
Yes, officials are required to maintain their certification with annual registration and attendance at a clinic.
When and where are the clinics?
We have a number of clinics planned for box, field and women's field this year. If you're interested in joining the team, click on one of the links below to find a date that works for your schedule, and then get registered to secure your spot!
How long are the clinics?
Each clinic for box or field is 10am - 3pm, with sign-in beginning at 9:15am. Late arrivals and early departures are not permitted.
Do I have to be registered or can I just show up to the clinic?
Pre-registration is important for us to be able to plan the number of clinicians and resources for each date. Each clinic closes one week before the date so that we can plan properly. Walk-ups are not permitted.
What do I need to bring to the clinic?
We will supply all the materials for your clinic -- all you need to bring is a pen! Lunch is included in each session.
Where can I get more information on becoming an official?
Can't find the information you're looking for? Email jeramie@ontariolacrosse.com and we'll get your question answered.
Sat, February 24: Whitby
Henry St. High School
Sun, March 3: Mississauga
Delta Toronto Airport Hotel
Thurs, March 7: Six Nations (6pm - 10pm)
Iroquois Lacrosse Arena
Sat, March 23: Cornwall
St. Lawrence Secondary School
Sat, March 23: Windsor
Tecumseh Vista Secondary School
Sun, March 24: Nepean
John McCrae Secondary School
Sun, March 24: London
The Hall at Nichols Arena
Sat, April 6: Owen Sound
Bayshore Community Centre
Sun, April 7: Kingston
Queen's University
Sat, April 13: St. Catharines
Denis Morris Secondary School
Sun, April 14: Cambridge
Preston High School
Sat, April 20: Thunder Bay
St. Bernard Elementary School
Sat, April 20: Toronto
Upper Canada College
Fri, April 26: Oshawa (6pm - 10pm)
Children's Arena
Sat, April 27: Orillia
Twin Lakes Secondary School
Sun, April 28: Sudbury
Lo-Ellen Secondary School
Sat, May 4: Kahnawake
Kahnawake Peacekeepers Station
Prep/NCAA Options: TBA
Sat, February 24: Oakville
Sheridan College
Sat, March 2: Mississauga
Delta Toronto Airport Hotel
Sat, March 23: Ottawa
TBA
Sun, March 24: Whitby
Henry St. High School
Sat, April 6: Orillia
Twin Lakes Secondary School
Prep/NCAA Options: TBA
New Officials:
Mon, April 15 (Virtual) or
Wed, April 17 (Virtual)
and
Sun, April 21: Guelph, or
Sat, April 27: Oshawa
Returning Level 1 Officials:
e-Learning Module (prior to May 5)
and
Sun, April 28: Aurora
Returning Level 2-4 Officials:
Wed, May 8 (Virtual)
and
Fri, May 10 and Sat May 11 (Location TBA)
Our Officiating Leadership Team members have been hard at work preparing for the upcoming season, and they will continue to be engaged with this task throughout the spring and summer.
The theme for this team has been, and will continue to be, teamwork and collaboration. There are two individuals working for the officials in each sector—one affiliated with the Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA) and the other with the Ontario Lacrosse Officials Association (OLOA). This is designed specifically to reinforce the theme of us working together to do the best by all who officiate lacrosse in Ontario.
Those that are representing the OLA are working primarily on programing and development, while those that are representing the OLOA are working primarily on member service initiatives. That said, these pairs—and the team as a whole—are committed to working hand-in-hand to make officiating the best experience possible.
---
OLOA Box: Jeremy McNaught
OLA Box: Garret CVH
OLOA Minor & Men's Field: Mike Drake
OLA Minor & Men's Field: Neil Macdonald
OLOA Women's Field: Corina Mahorn
OLA Women's Field: Hanna Burnett
