Supporting Officials. Building Leaders.

Program Overview

Strengthening Officiating Communities is a Hockey Canada initiative designed to support the growth and long-term development of grassroots officiating communities across Canada. Through collaboration with Members, Hockey Canada will work directly with local officiating programs to deliver customized development opportunities that address local needs, strengthen leadership capacity, and enhance the experience of officials at the grassroots level.

Recognizing that strong officiating programs are built through effective leadership, mentorship, and community support, this initiative focuses not only on the development of officials, but also on the growth of officiating coaches, mentors, Referees-in-Chief (RICs), and other officiating leaders who play a critical role in recruiting, developing, and retaining officials within their communities.

The initiative is intended to strengthen the local officiating ecosystem by supporting the people, programs, and leadership structures that contribute to long-term success. Through education, mentorship, collaboration, and the sharing of best practices, Hockey Canada aims to help communities build sustainable officiating programs that provide positive development experiences for current and future officials.

Selected Members will have the opportunity to host a Hockey Canada officiating development event tailored to their specific goals and priorities. Activities may include officiating coach education, leadership and mentorship workshops, recruitment and retention initiatives, on-ice development sessions for officials, presentations for coaches and administrators, and discussions focused on strengthening local officiating programs and leadership capacity.

The initiative is intended to leave a lasting impact by developing grassroots officials, supporting officiating leaders, and creating sustainable opportunities for growth within officiating communities across Canada long after the visit has concluded.

Program Objectives

The Strengthening Officiating Communities initiative aims to:

• Support the development of grassroots officials, particularly those in the early stages of their officiating journey.
• Strengthen local officiating communities by enhancing the skills, confidence, and experience of officials at the grassroots level.
• Strengthen local officiating leadership through education, mentorship, and coaching.
• Enhance the capacity of officiating coaches, mentors, Referees-in-Chief (RICs), and other volunteer leaders who support grassroots officiating programs.
• Foster positive officiating cultures within local minor hockey communities that promote recruitment, development, retention, and respect for officials.
• Support grassroots recruitment and retention efforts to help communities attract and retain new officials.
• Encourage collaboration and the sharing of best practices across the Hockey Canada officiating community.
• Create sustainable development opportunities that contribute to the long-term success of local officiating programs and grassroots officiating pathways.
• Promote leadership development and mentorship opportunities that support the next generation of officiating leaders within communities across Canada.

What Hockey Canada Can Provide

Depending on local needs and priorities, Hockey Canada may provide support through a variety of development opportunities, including:

• Officiating coach and mentor development workshops
• Leadership and mentorship training
• Recruitment and retention initiatives
• On-ice officiating development session
• Presentations for coaches, administrators, and hockey stakeholders
• Rule application and game management discussions
• Roundtable discussions with officiating leaders
• Community-specific development opportunities identified through the application process
• Members are encouraged to identify the priorities and outcomes that would have the greatest impact within their officiating community.

Together, we can continue strengthening officiating communities and developing the next generation of officials and officiating leaders across Canada.
For more information please contact the Lead for Officiating Coaching for Hockey Canada, Sean Tobin @ stobin@hockeycanada.ca. You can complete an application here: Strengthening Officiating Communities Application Form – Fill out form

The deadline to apply is August 30, 2026.