Ottawa, ON (December 4, 2020) — In the review of the status of officiating in Canada, the Squash Canada Officiating Committee identified a critical need to increase the number of certified officials and recommended, among other steps, establishing policies to “mandate competitive players to take the online officiating course and exam to become a Certified Referee” as an entry requirement for Canadian Championships. This was seen as a way to achieve two benefits: to better educate players on the rules of squash to aid in their own play, and to also increase the number of people in a better position to referee matches at events (from their Club level up to Nationals) when called upon to do so.
A survey was conducted of all P/T’s Executive Directors/Presidents and the Squash Canada Officiating Committee to determine the best approach – the survey results overwhelmingly came back in favour of the motion below (10-5 in favour). The Squash Canada Board of Directors at their November 26, 2020 meeting reviewed the survey results and has now passed the following motion that will come into effect as of December 1st, 2021.
MOTION: THAT to be eligible to participate all players entering U15, U17, & U19 categories in the Canadian Junior Open (Canadian players only) and the Canadian Junior Closed as well as players entering the Canadian Squash Championships, Canadian Masters Teams Championships, Canadian Men’s & Women’s Teams Championships and Canadian U23 Championships must be a certified official at a minimum of the Club Referee level.
This policy comes into effect as of December 1, 2021.