Curling Canada recognizes the need to develop and implement a National Curling Umpires Certification Program. Accordingly, standard guidelines for training and development of curling umpires who will be capable of officiating at a provincial/territorial or national championship have been developed. In order to classify umpires, the following five level system is in place.
LEVEL 1 – GAME OBSERVER, TIME KEEPER AND HOGLINE UMPIRE
Requirements
- attend the Level 1 Umpire Training Course (approx. 5 hours)
- complete a Level 1 Officiating Exam (open book)
- complete a minimum of 6 games of officiating experience under the supervision of a Level 3, 4 or 5 umpire and receive positive evaluation.
LEVEL 2 – PROVINCIAL/TERRITORIAL SUPERVISING UMPIRES
Requirements
- have Level 1 certification
- attend the Level 2 Umpire Training Course (approx. 8 hours)
- complete a Level 2 Officiating Exam (open book)
- complete the practical requirements (minimum 6 games as a supervising umpire) under the supervision of a Level 3, 4, or 5 umpire and receive a positive evaluation
LEVEL 3 – PROVINCIAL/TERRITORIAL HEAD UMPIRE
Requirements
- have Level 2 Certification
- serve as an alternate head umpire at a provincial/territorial championship
- receive a recommendation
- receive positive evaluations from the provincial/territorial championship committee chairmen or association and/or from a provincially recognized head umpire
- appointment on an as needed basis by the provincial/territorial association
LEVEL 4 – NATIONAL SUPERVISING UMPIRE (national championship)
Requirements
- have Level 3 certification
- serve as a supervising umpire at a Curling Canada national championship and receive a positive evaluation from the head umpire
- receive a recommendation from the provincial/territorial association
- appointment on an as needed basis by the Curling Canada
LEVEL 5 – NATIONAL HEAD UMPIRE (national championship)
Requirements
- have Level 4 certification
- serve as a head umpire at a Curling Canada national championship and receive a positive evaluation from the competition director and host committee representative
- have demonstrated qualities of leadership, ability to negotiate and arbitrate and ability to effectively liaise with player, media, supervising umpires, association officials and host committees.
- appointment on an as needed basis by the Curling Canada
(This article is taken from the Curling Canada Curling Club Operations Manual- Chapter F)
