Becoming a Referee or Timekeeper
Please use the link at the bottom of the page to apply. All applicants will have an interview and those who continue will be required to complete a skating test. All referees and timekeepers over the age of 18, MUST have a valid Vulnerable Safety Check (VSC)
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New/Transferring Referee Registration for District 11 - Kanata
Note: As you read the materials, please note that a willingness to attend the HEO referee school will not guarantee you a position in the association’s referee body. All names are place on a waiting list regardless.
District 11 - Kanata
With membership close to 100 officials. Kanata offers a comprehensive program that allows each official to develop quickly through both on-ice experience and off-ice instruction. The following information is provided to support your decision making process on whether to join the Kanata Referee
Who should be registering as a new referee within Kanata?
A prospective official should register as a new referee if he/she is:
- A first year official (i.e. someone who has never refereed before.)
- An official who was certified last year, but worked in another Branch, District or Association.
- An official who previously refereed in Kanata, but has been inactive and does NOT have the permission of the RIC to register as a returning official.
Are there any specific criteria or requirements?
The preferred minimum age of a new referee in Kanata is 14. This is in place as experience shows a majority of officials under 15 withdraw from the program after the first year due to a variety of reasons. Prospective officials that are 13 years old may be considered assuming that space exists within the Association.
Officials who are also players, and who have a known history of verbally abusing referees; will not be considered. Additionally, players known to have a history of incurring playing suspensions will also be turned down as rules dictate that players, while under suspension are not eligible to referee. These cases will be examined on a case-by-case basis by the Referee-in-Chief.
Officiating in Kanata requires a great of time and flexibility. Players at the Competitive level may not be suited for this due to the time commitments required by their respective teams.
Am I guaranteed a position as an official?
No. All new prospective officials are immediately placed on a waiting list. This waiting list is a list of candidates; it is not a priority list as new officials are hired based on the needs of the Association. For example, if the Association needs to fill holes at the Midget level, a 24-year-old prospect is likely to get the nod over a 15-year-old as he/she stands a better chance of fulfilling the immediate needs of the Association at the Midget level than a 15-year-old through rapid development.
When will I learn if I have been granted a referee position?
The Referee-in-Chief will make every possible effort to notify all successful candidates of their acceptance in late July via e-mail, mail or by phone. If you are not contacted, then your application for the coming season was unsuccessful; most likely due to the number of openings. All unsuccessful candidates are encouraged to try again next year.
The July notification date allows for:
- The Referee-in-Chief to determine who is returning from the previous season. All referees in good standing that worked the previous season for the KMHA are automatically guaranteed a position for the upcoming season.
- The KMHA to set the number of teams at the different levels for the upcoming season; allowing for a determination of the number of officials required.
What training is required?
All new referees are required to take a Hockey Canada certification clinic. These clinics are one half-day in length and one four hour online course. Attendance is MANDATORY in order to officiate. If the KMHA Referee body commits to employing you as a referee, you will be notified of clinic dates well in advance of it occurring.
What is the hiring policy for prospective new KMHA Referees?
The Referee-in-Chief of Kanata Minor Hockey is responsible for the recruiting, training and development of all duly registered within District 11. However, the Referee-in-Chief of Kanata Minor Hockey is under no obligation to employ and/or use any official who obtains certification (training as noted above) without first approaching and obtaining the permission of the Association and/or District Referee-in-Chief first.
Application Process
- Please click on the appropriate application below. If you are applying for both, you will need to submit an application for each position . You will receive confirmation of receipt.
- You will be contacted for an interview and for a rule knowledge assessment.
- Based on ice availability there may be a skating test involved to assess your skating abilities.
APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2025-2026 SEASON ARE CLOSED
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