Become an OWFL Official
A great way to stay active, give back to the game, earn some extra money, and develop your lacrosse IQ - there is a ton to be gained from taking a certification clinic and becoming an OWFL official. Ontario officials represent Canada at prestigious national and international events annually, including the World Championships and World Games. Mentorship and development are key points of emphasis to help the next generation of developing officials achieve their goals. Most of all, we're proud of the officiating community we are building in Ontario. Learn more below and join us!
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OFFICIATING CERTIFICATION
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
The Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA)'s and Lacrosse Canada's National Officiating Certification Program (NOCP) is an education-based professional training opportunity which allows officials to learn and grow, while managing the sport of lacrosse at all levels. Typically, certification and recertification clinics take place annually in April & early May.
The minimum age to certify for OWFL is turning 14 years of age in 2027 (birth year 2013).
Anyone is welcome to become an official. In recent years, many young women's lacrosse athletes at the U15 level have joined our ranks, but parents, siblings, friends, and recent OWFL graduates are encouraged to register.
New Level 1 (first-year) registration fee includes jersey, whistle, flag and cards. More information can be found in the OWFL Officiating Handbook.
Become a Women's Field Lacrosse Official | CLICK HERE!
CRIMINAL RECORD CHECKS
ALL officials in the OWFL who are 18 years of age and older must have a current police check on file with the OLA.
These police checks must be completed before the start of the season.
Click here to complete a Criminal Record Check using the OLA's sponsored Sterling Backcheck.
OFFENSE DECLARATIONS
If officials who are 18 years of age and older have submitted a Criminal Record Check and have been a volunteer in successive seasons, they require an Offense Declaration to be submitted yearly. Click here for the OLA Offense Declaration Form.
RULES & MODIFICATIONS
WORLD LACROSSE RULES BOOK
In Ontario, the rules for Women's Field Lacrosse are typically based on those established bi-annually by World Lacrosse. To see the most up-to-date version of the World Lacrosse Women's Field Lacrosse Rules Book, click here. Please note, the OWFL frequently adopts modifications to these rules for the purpose of development. An overview of these modifications for each season can be found at the buttons below.
OWFL RULES MODIFICATIONS
OWFL Rule Modifications Archive
Every year, the OWFL traditionally has adopted modifications to the rules established by World Lacrosse to better support the development of athletes in our game, particularly at the U9 and U11 levels. Rules modifications for the upcoming season will be announced following the OWFL Club Forum held annually in January. These modifications have been outlined at the buttons below. Additional tools and resources to help officials, coaches, and clubs understand the unique rules of our game can also be found below.
NOTE: These documents are subject to change. For questions, contact officiating@owfl.org.
Changes last made as indicated within the documents.
The most recent rule documents were uploaded March 19, 2026 unless otherwise noted and apply to the 2026 OWFL season.
OFFICIATING RATINGS
To learn more about how to progress to a higher level of officiating, where you can qualify to officiate older and higher level games, read on. For questions, please contact the OWFL Director of Officiating, Hanna Burnett, at officiating@owfl.org.
All D1, D2 and D3 officials are eligible to receive verbal and written feedback and support from an OWFL Mentor or Evaluator at various points throughout the season.
LEVEL 1 (D1) - LOCAL (DOMESTIC) OFFICIAL
WHO is eligible?... Anyone who is interested in officiating! The minimum age to certify is turning 14 years of age in 2027 (birth year 2013).
HOW to become a D1?...
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Register for a New Officials clinic; there are two streams:
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U9/U11 Stream: Best for current athletes who are U19 aged or younger. Learn how to officiate U9 & U11 lacrosse.
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U13+ Stream: Best for adults (19+), those athletes with women's field exprience OR who have officiating experience in another lacrosse sector OR another sport. Jump right into officiating U13, U15, and U19 games. This stream is recommended if you plan to officiate high school lacrosse.
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Complete all required components of a your NOCP OWFL Officiating Course, held annually in the spring prior to the start of the OWFL season. Components depend on the stream selected.
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Officiate during the OWFL season!
WHAT can D1s officiate?...
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U9/U11 Stream officials officiate only U9 and U11 unless they take the U13+ upgrade course (virtual) in-season.
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U13+ Stream officials only officiate U13, U15, or U19 games.
NOTE: D1 officials are qualified to officiate local House League and High School programs.
LEVEL 2 (D2) - PROVINCIALLY (DOMESTIC) RATED OFFICIAL
WHO is eligible?... D1 officials who have two (2) or more years experience in the OWFL OR who are identified as fast-track candidates to take their training to the next level. They must be old enough to officiate U19 lacrosse (i.e. no longer age-eligible to play U19).
HOW to become a D2?...
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Contact the OWFL Director of Officiating and indicating your interest OR receive an invitation from the Director of Officiating to attend the Prospective D2 training course.
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Attend the Prospective D2 training course (in-season, in-person).
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Receive a minimum or three (3) on-field evaluations at a designated OWFL event on U17 or U19 level games (Ontario Summer Games, OWFL regular season, provincials, etc.).
WHAT can D2s officiate?... Successful D2 candidates are eligible to officiate at all OWFL age groups, including JEWL. Becoming a D2 official also permits you to travel outside of Ontario and represent the OWFL as an on-field official at the Jenny Kyle Cup National Championships and any other out-of-province event(s).
NOTE: Returning D1 officials who are still age-eligible to play U19 lacrosse but who have multiple year's experience as a women's lacrosse official may be invited to the "Learner's Permit" program. This program introduces Level 2 training concepts to those too young to otherwise qualify for their Level 2 rating. Contact the OWFL Director of Officiating for more information about this program!
LEVEL 3 (D3) - NATIONALLY (DOMESTIC) RATED OFFICIAL
WHO is eligible?... D2 officials who have two (2) or more years experience at the D2 level OR who are identified as fast-track candidates to take their training to the next level.
HOW to become a D3?...
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Contact the OWFL Director of Officiating and indicating your interest OR receive an invitation from the Director of Officiating to attend the Prospective D3 training course.
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Attend the Prospective D3 training course (in-season, in-person).
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Receive a minimum or three (3) on-field evaluations at a designated OWFL or Lacrosse Canada event on U17 or U19 level games (Ontario Summer Games, Jenny Kyle Cup National Championships, etc.).
WHAT can D3s officiate?... Successful D3 candidates are eligible to officiate at all OWFL age groups, and are prioritized at the JEWL level. Becoming a D3 official also permits you to enter the World Lacrosse Matriculation Process and travel outside of Canada to represent the OWFL and Lacrosse Canada as an on-field official at World Lacrosse events. They are also eligible to officiate Ontario University Athletics (OUA) games when age-appropriate to do so.
LEVEL 4 (WL1, WL2 or WL3) - INTERNATIONALLY RATED OFFICIAL
WHO?... Prospective WL 1, 2 or 3 officials must be evaluated at a World Lacrosse sanctioned event, including but not limited to a PALA, ASPAC, European, or African qualifier. These events are coordinated and run by World Lacrosse.
HOW to become a WL 1, 2, or 3?... While in attendance at a World Lacrosse event, officials are evaluated in writing by a designated World Lacrosse Evaluator and will be asked to complete a rules test and fitness evaluation.
WHAT can WL1, 2 and 3s officiate?... In addition to qualifier events, successful WL1, 2 or 3 candidates will be invited to officiate World U20 Championships and World Championship events - the highest stage possible for our sport. International ratings must be renewed every four (4) years and are distributed and managed by World Lacrosse.
EVALUATIONS
Click here to see the standards by which officials in Ontario are evaluated.
OPPORTUNITIES IN OFFICIATING
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