Nova Scotia Curling is pleased to announce that Les Reid will serve as Head Umpire beginning in the 2026–27 season, with Paul Hawkes joining as Deputy Umpire. Together, they will lead and strengthen our umpiring program across the province.
Les began his umpiring journey at the 2005 Olympic Trials in Halifax and has advanced to become a Level 4 Umpire. His experience includes; the Scotties, Women’s Worlds, World Seniors, Mixed Doubles Olympic Trials, the 2025 Pre-Trials, and the Canadian Curling Trials. Most recently, he served as Chief Umpire at the Canadian National Stick Curling Championship.
Paul is a Level 5 Umpire whose experience includes; the World Junior Men’s and Women’s Curling Championships, the 2025 Pre-Trials and Trials, the World Senior Men’s and Women’s Championships, the Mixed Doubles Trials, and the 2024 and 2025 Men’s and Women’s Provincial Championships. He also served as Chief Umpire for the 2026 NS Curling Canada Winter Games Championship.
Congratulations to Les and Paul as they take on these important leadership roles with NS Curling!
Are you be interested in officiating at curling events? It’s a great way to be involved in the game and can lead to rewarding experiences! These are volunteer positions and training courses are offered throughout the province for Level 1 (Online) and Level 2 (Game Umpire) in person course.
All Umpires Level 2 (Game Umpire) and higher must complete screening including;
- Criminal Record Check (expires every three years)
- Safe Sport (expires every three years)
- Marking Headway in Sport
Curling Canada recognized 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 a five-level system has been put in place. This system ranges from Level 1: Time Clock Operator/Game Observer to Level 5: National Chief Umpire.
Please feel free to contact The Co-Ordinator of Officials if you have any questions regarding rules and officiating.
Curling Canada has recently updated their website and has a tremendous amount of information and videos in regard to all levels of officiating. Even if you are a certified umpire, you may find a lot of value in reviewing this website for more information regarding measuring LSDs and various. Go to https://www.curling.ca/officials-and-umpires/ for more information.
The officiating team has reached out to our officials via email in September to see who is available for each of our Provincial Playdowns. Please contact Les if you did not receive an email and you wish to be listed as an ‘active official’. Once that information is gathered, it will be compiled by the NS Curling Head Umpire to assign Chief Umpires to qualifying events. Les will be responsible to assign Chief Umpires to the various provincial championships.
Curling Canada Officiating Structure
Time Clock Operator/Game Observer (Previously LEVEL 1):
- This is now an ONLINE COURSE with NO REGISTRATION FEE.
- Click HERE for the Time Clock Operator Training Manual
- Click HERE for the Observer Training Manual
- Requirements: submit the Time Clock Operator/Game Observer registration form (found at the end of Time Clock Operator/Game Observer Training Manual) to Les Reid ([email protected])
- Practical Requirements: must serve as Time Clock Operator or Observer at a Provincial or National championship for a minimum of 6 games under the direction of a certified Chief Umpire Level 3 or higher. (Practical component form can be found below)
Game Umpire (Previously LEVEL 2):
- Requirements: Certified Time Clock Operator/Observer
- Attend a Game Umpire technical course, pass an open book officiating exam (70% required).
- Courses are offered throughout the province with a Level 3 or higher instructor, please check the schedule below and register online or through Our Executive Director.
- Practical Requirements: must serve as a Game Umpire and/or Chief Timer at a Provincial Championship for a minimum of 6 games under the direction of a certified Chief Umpire Level 3 or higher. (Practical component form can be found below)
- Course fee will be posted when they are available and includes a rule book and ice access
Practical Component Form:
You will be provided with a practical component form when you register for a course. It is your responsibility to have this filled and out and signed by the chief umpire at the event you worked. WHEN you receive a positive evaluation, and the Co-ordinator of Officials signs off you can submit the form to the Nova Scotia Curling Association Executive Director who will in turn forward a copy to Curling Canada. The Umpire will be entered into the provincial database. Click HERE for the Practical Component Form.
LEVEL 3: Nova Scotia Curling Association Chief Umpire
- Requirements: Certified level 2 Game Umpire
- Receive their certification by successfully acting as a Deputy Chief Umpire and later as a Chief Umpire at a minimum of two provincial event(s) and receiving a positive evaluation of their performance by a Certified Level 3 Umpire. The recommendation for the Level 3 certification comes from a recommendation by The Co-Ordinator of Officials for the NSCA and is then submitted to Curling Canada’s Chief Umpire.
LEVEL 4: National Game Umpire, Deputy Chief Umpire, & Chief Umpire
- Requirements: Certified Level 3 Umpire
- Recommended to Curling Canada by Co-Ordinator of Officials for the NSCA
- Serve as a Game Umpire at two Curling Canada arena events and receive a positive evaluation from the Chief Umpire(s)
LEVEL 5: National Chief Umpire
- Requirements: Certified Level 4 National Umpire
- Serve as a Chief Umpire at two Curling Canada arena events and receive a positive evaluation from the Director, Championship Services for Curling Canada
Please check Here for a list of dates and locations of Game Umpire Courses in the Nova Scotia.
It is very important that you submit your registration forms to the NSCA to ensure your inclusion in the certification program. The NSCA will share your information with Curling Canada, and you will receive confirmation of your certification from Curling Canada usually by the end of the current season or beginning of the following season.
If you are interested in becoming involved as an umpire, timer or volunteer at a NSCA sanctioned events please email Jill Brothers ([email protected]).
