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Officials Program

The Canadian Armed Forces is fortunate to have many great officials who play a significant part in creating the ultimate sports experience.  

Become a CAF Official 

CAF Officials are still active despite CAF Sports program cancellations. They are participating in professional development sessions and webinars to stay busy within the sport. 
 
 To become an Official, you will need to contact your provincial sport organization to inquire about upcoming clinics. You can connect with their regional sport organization to gain experience if the sport is taking place. 
 
 If you’d like to get involved in your community, talk with your local sports coordinator to express interest. 

THANK YOU! 

Thank you to all our CAF Officials who do so much to keep the game fair and fun for everyone, and contribute to the growth of sports in their community. Your dedication, integrity, time, hustle and patience bring so much to the game. 


Officials Spotlight

  • Kira Cornelissen

    Kira Cornelissen

    Basketball View Bio
    Kira Cornelissen

    Kira Cornelissen

    Basketball

    WHY SHOULD OTHERS OFFICIATE? 

    I enjoy officiating because it allows me to stay and grow in the sport I love. Officiating also gives me opportunities to travel and meet new people across the country.  

    WHY DO YOU OFFICIATE? 

    I began officiating because I wanted to challenge myself in a different capacity as well as earn extra cash. The officiating community is very supportive and really pushes more education opportunities to further your game.  Our chief official was a great liaison to my local community association so I could get started right away. 

  • Lt Martin Painchaud

    Lt Martin Painchaud

    Slo-Pitch View Bio
    Lt Martin Painchaud

    Lt Martin Painchaud

    Slo-Pitch

    WHY DID YOU START BEING AN OFFICIAL? 

    1. Following an injury, the desire to play was still there and my way of continuing to evolve in the game was simply to become a federated umpire for Softball Canada. 

    2. The fact that there was a shortage of military umpires also motivated me to take the plunge, since every year this discipline was doomed to disappear due to the lack of umpires. 

    WHY SHOULD OTHERS PARTICIPATE? 

    1. Be part of the softball community: by becoming an umpire, you become an important member of the softball community. Softball is an exciting and friendly sport that attracts many amateurs, players and fans. 

    2. Develop skills: as a softball umpire, you develop skills in decision-making, observation, communication, interaction with players and management. 

    3. Be involved in the sport: if you're passionate about softball, becoming an umpire is an ideal way to stay involved in the sport you love, even if you can't or don't want to play. 

  • M2 Véronique Turcotte

    M2 Véronique Turcotte

    Volleyball View Bio
    M2 Véronique Turcotte

    M2 Véronique Turcotte

    Volleyball

    WHY DO YOU OFFICIATE VOLLEYBALL? 

    My main reason for being an official is to ensure that my sport continues to thrive and that young people can enjoy it with the benefit of an official body that makes sure the rules are followed and sporting events take place with respect. 

    WHY OTHERS SHOULD PARTICIPATE? 

    Although it's a difficult task, being an official is nonetheless rewarding. It allows you to develop leadership skills; managing a match requires you to adapt your communication strategies so as not to fuel the players' emotions. Managing a volleyball game can sometimes be demanding, but all parties are grateful at the end of the tournament. 

    Looking forward to seeing you on a volleyball court! 

  • Mrs. Tammy McCaugherty

    Mrs. Tammy McCaugherty

    Soccer View Bio
    Mrs. Tammy McCaugherty

    Mrs. Tammy McCaugherty

    Soccer

    WHY DO YOU OFFICIATE? 

    In 2012, my husband encouraged me to requalify after an Official call  went out in my area. The course was delivered by an active Military Member, Sam Mizuno and he recognized my knowledge and understanding of officiating was multifaceted. I was swiftly welcomed back and along with being asked to officiate two years of CAF Regionals and Nationals for both M/W soccer.  

    WHY OTHERS SHOULD PARTICIPATE AND FEEL SUPPORTED? 

    I’ve learned so much over the years from fellow officials from the practical aspects of the game and apply the theory to the fast pace level of play. Mentoring at grassroots and encouraging upreferees has been my focus for the past couple of years so that I can pass along skills. I see the importance of the next generation and involving everyone,. so referees officials feel supported and equipped with the abilities to get out on the field and experience the confidence of fair play. 

  • MWO Rob Cosstick

    MWO Rob Cosstick

    Hockey View Bio
    MWO Rob Cosstick

    MWO Rob Cosstick

    Hockey

    WHY DO YOU OFFICIATE HOCKEY? 

    I enjoy being actively involved in hockey and the different perspective of the sport that officiating offers. I officiate a lot of minor hockey and am happy to be able to give back to the sport that helps develop myself into the person I am today. The friendships created are still there and lessons learned on teamwork, fairness, accepting losses and striving to overcome set ba 

    WHY OTHERS SHOULD GET INVOLVED? 

     After being a CAF player and coach at regional and national levels I was looking to try something new, and the CAF needed hockey officials in its program, so I accepted that challenge when I had the chance. There are many reasons others should get involved such as: to experience a different dimension of the game, to keep active in the sport and to help maintain a level of fitness you may have been accustomed to or increase it if you desire. If you ever played minor hockey, it is a way to pay back to the sport that provided you so many great experiences growing up.