Returning Refs Pre-Season Clinic

Hi Returning Refs!

We are running a pre-season officiating clinic at the end of August to get you prepared for the new hockey season. VFIHA adult officials and female officials from other minor hockey associations are very welcome to register and attend.

Please note the the pre-season clinic is mandatory training for VFIHA officials.  It is an essential part of your training for the new hockey season.  If you are going to be out of town or have a prior commitment, please email ref@vfiha.com.

The new refs will be certifying on Labour Day, September 2nd at the Killarney Community Centre (for more info please see: http://www.vancouvergirlshockey.com/new-referee-pre-season-clinic/).  The new refs are also very welcome to register for the Group A clinic.

Group A: The officials who are 12 to 14 years old, or who are older than this with 1 or 2 years' experience, will have a clinic which runs over two late afternoon/evenings on Tuesday, August 20th, and Thursday, August 24th, at Sunset Rink,  It will have on-ice and off-ice training.

If you are also registered for the VFIHA Players' Pre-season Camp, you are expected to attend the refs' clinic on August 20th and 22nd.  The fees you paid for the Players' Pre-season Camp include the cost of the Group A refs' clinic.

Group B: The officials who are 15 years old, and older (including female and male adults) will have a clinic on Sunday, August 18th, at Killarney Community Centre.  It will have on-ice and off-ice training.

BC Hockey is hosting a clinic for the Lower Mainland Zone Female Officiating Development Program for returning female officials, 15 year's old, and older, on Saturday, August 24th at Killarney Community Centre from 9.00AM to 5.45PM where you will be able to be certified for the new hockey season.  Please email ref@vfiha.com if you want further details on this clinic.

Please note: Refs in Group A who are over 14 year's old can attend the Group B clinic, and refs in Group B can attend the Group A clinic, but will need to pay both registration fees.

Group A:

Tuesday, August 20th from 3.45-9.15PM at Sunset Rink (390 East 51st Avenue)

  • 3.45-4.00PM:  Arrival (Warm Room at the top of the rink --entry via Prince Edward Street near 51st Avenue)
  • 4.00-5.30PM:  Off-ice training
  • 5.30-6.00PM:  Pizza break
  • 6.00-7.45PM:  Off-ice training
  • 7.45-8.00PM:  Change for on-ice training
  • 8.00-9.15PM:  On-ice training

Thursday, August 22nd from 3.45-9.15PM at Sunset Rink (390 East 51st Avenue)

  • 3.45-4.00PM:  Arrival (Warm Room at the top of the rink --entry via Prince Edward Street near 51st Avenue)
  • 4.00-5.30PM:  Off-ice training
  • 5.30-6.00PM:  Meal break
  • 6.00-7.45PM:  Off-ice training
  • 7.45-8.00PM:  Change for on-ice training
  • 8.00-9.15PM:  On-ice training

Group B:

Sunday, August 18th from 3.45-9.00PM at Killarney Community Centre (6260 Killarney Street)

  • 3.45-4.00PM:  Arrival (Seniors Centre, Rooms 151/152, Ground Floor - enter community centre via main lobby and continue until you reach the Gym.  Turn left and keep going straight to enter the Seniors Centre)
  • 4.00-5.30PM:  Off-ice training
  • 5.30-6.00PM:  Pizza break
  • 6.00-7.15PM:  Off-ice training
  • 7.15-7.30PM:  Change for on-ice training
  • 7.30-9.00PM:  On-ice training

Please note that you will be able to purchase shin tights through the registration process for $20.00.  REFcore Canada (https://www.refcore.com/ ), a local supplier that specializes in ref apparel and accessories, is supplying these at this great price.  Why shin tights?  Shin tights are the best way of holding shin pads in place. No more buying tape or elastic bands.  They are also the best way to avoid that embarrassing look when referee pants get caught up on the back of your skates.

Here’s some FAQ’s:

  1. Why can’t I get certified at the Group A clinic?
    Despite asking every year for the officials to get certified at our clinic, BC Hockey will not allow it.  They want all Lower Mainland returning officials to attend one of their super clinics to be certified.  If they allow us to have officials certified, then they say they will have to allow all other associations to be able to have their officials certified at their own clinics.  Put simply, BC Hockey makes more money certifying at the super clinics because they can maximize their instructor to attendees ratio. Apart from the certification fees paying for the instructors, Hockey Canada rules books, BC Hockey and Hockey Canada badges for the ref jerseys, it is one of their main sources of income to run BC Hockey.
  2. Can Group B officials get certified at this clinic?
    No, but if you are a female official and attend the BC Hockey clinic being held on Saturday, August 24th, you can get certified there.
  3. Why is this clinic always in late August?
    Ideally it would be in September when everyone is back from the summer vacations, but because of lack of ice time in the regular season and because some refs are involved with rep tryouts we have opted for the end of August in order to provide the best combination of off and on ice training.  It’s also when the instructors have no other hockey commitments.
  4. Is it mandatory to attend?
    Yes, for Vancouver Female Ice Hockey Association officials.  As an official you should be always trying to improve your understanding and skills.  The clinic will have you much better prepared for the new season.
  5. When is the deadline for registering?
    July 31, 2019, but check the registration link to see if there are still places available.  Please register as early as possible so that we can know how many refs will be attending.
  6. Can adult female returning officials attend?
    Yes, and male refs who have family members associated with VFIHA.

What you should do:

  1. Vancouver Female officials need to email ref@vfiha.com to advise whether you will or won’t be attending the clinic.
  2. Register online.
  3. If you are 18 years old, or older and do not have a current Criminal Record Check (CRC) for BC Hockey, please follow the instructions on the BC Hockey web page:  http://www.bchockey.net/Content.aspx?id=301 .  This must be done ASAP so that you can register for a super clinic in September and officiate in the new season.

 

If you have any further questions, please email ref@vfiha.com

We are looking forward to seeing you in August.

Please let me know right away if you are planning to attend, or are unable to attend.

 

All the best,

Dairobi Paul

Association Referee-in-Chief

Vancouver Female Ice Hockey Association