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 2023 (birth year 2009).
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 about the Ontario Lacrosse Officials' Association (OLOA) how our fees help support us throughout the year can be found in the OWFL Officiating Handbook.
Registration for 2023 Officiating Clinics is now closed.
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. An overview of these modifications for the 2023 season can be found at the buttons below.
OWFL RULES MODIFICATIONS
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 Under 9, Under 11 and Under 13 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 prior to the start of the OWFL season.
PDF documents listed below - changes last made: June 1, 2023 or as indicated on the documents.
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 owflofficiating@gmail.com.
In 2023, all L1, L2 and L3 officials are eligible to receive verbal and occasionally written feedback and support from an OWFL "Officials' Coach" and Evaluators at various points throughout the season.
LEVEL 1 (L1) - LOCAL OFFICIAL
To become a Level 1 official, register and successfully complete a New Level 1 OLA NOCP Officiating Course, held annually in the spring prior to the start of the OWFL season, Level 1 officials will typically officiate U11 and U13 games, and if age-appropriate to do so, may be asked to officiate lower level U15 and occasional U19 games. L1 officials are qualified to officiate local House League and High School programs.
LEVEL 2 (L2) - PROVINCIALLY RATED OFFICIAL
To become a L2 official, returning L1 officials who have at least two full seasons of experience in the OWFL must apply by contacting the OWFL Director of Officiating at owflofficiating@gmail.com and indicating their interest. The Director of Officiating, in conjunction with other senior L3 an L4 officials may also identify and approach current L1 officials who they feel may be ready to be evaluated for the next level. Prospective Level 2 officials must then take a L2 Officiating Course, led by a designated OWFL instructor and be evaluated in writing over the course of a designated event (National Championships, Ontario Summer Games, OWFL Provincials, etc.) or regular season. Successful L2 candidates are eligible to officiate at all OWFL age groups, and so are typically 19 years of age or older.
LEVEL 3 (L3) - NATIONALLY RATED OFFICIAL
To become an L3 official, returning L2 officials who typically have at least three years of experience in the OWFL must apply by contacting the OWFL Director of officiating at owflofficiating@gmail.com and indicating their interest. The Director of Officiating, in conjunction with other senior L3 an L4 officials may also identify and approach current L2 officials who they feel may be ready to be evaluated for the next level. Prospective Level 3 officials must then take a L3 Officiating Course, led by a designated Lacrosse Canada instructor and be evaluated in writing over the course of a designated event (National Championships, Ontario Summer Games, OWFL Provincials, etc.). Successful L3 candidates are eligible to officiate at all OWFL age groups, and so are typically 19 years of age or older. They are also eligible to officiate Ontario University Athletics (OUA) games and attend World Lacrosse events internationally on behalf of Lacrosse Canada.
LEVEL 4 (L4 OR WL1 OR WL2) - INTERNATIONALLY RATED OFFICIAL
To become an Internationally rated official, you must be evaluated at a World Lacrosse sanctioned event, including but not limited to World Jr Championships, World Championships, Asia Pacific Championships (ASPACs), European Championships (Euros), or pre-approved Pan-American Lacrosse Association (PALA) event. While in attendance at this event, you are evaluated multiple times in writing by a designated World Lacrosse evaluator, and may be asked to complete a rules test and fitness evaluation. For more information, please contact the Lacrosse Canada Umpire in Chief (Women's Field Sector), Cheryl MacNeill at cdnwomenlax@hotmail.com. International ratings must be renewed every four years.
OPPORTUNITIES IN OFFICIATING
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