Suburban FC is pleased to announce a new club initiative focused on driving & supporting referee development across our local soccer community.
As part of this initiative, the club will fully fund several Entry Level Referee Courses for interested Suburban FC members who want to begin officiating in Nova Scotia. The program aims to remove financial barriers and encourage more individuals to get involved in an essential role within the game.
Supporting and growing the referee pathway is critical to ensuring a positive, sustainable soccer environment for players, teams, and leagues across our region. This initiative reflects Suburban FC’s commitment to developing all areas of the game, not only players, coaches & programs, but also officials!
Suburban FC Executive Director Oliver Hewish emphasized the importance of supporting the development of officials:
“Our province has faced critical referee shortages & troubles in recent years. Lower numbers of both new and returning officials have had a clear impact on the game at all ages & levels. Referee pathways and development is integral to the soccer ecosystem, and quite simply, our game depends on them. As a club, we always want to support development and raise standards across all areas of football, so we see high value in directly supporting referee development within our communities.”
SFC members interested in applying for our club-funding can submit this form HERE.
For more information on the referee development process & courses, please see the information below from Soccer Nova Scotia.
______
About the Entry Level Referee Course (Soccer Nova Scotia Info)
Registration is now open for Soccer Nova Scotia’s Entry Level Referee Course, the first step toward becoming a certified referee in the province.
To become certified, participants must complete two components:
- Block 1: Canada Soccer online theory modules (currently open)
- Block 2: Soccer Nova Scotia in-person practical sessions (registration opens late February)
Participants must be 14 years of age at the time of registration. Course registration is $40
How to Register: Individuals interested in becoming a referee can register through Soccer Nova Scotia using the official course link (available in our bio and club channels).
Questions about the course structure or requirements can be found on the Soccer Nova Scotia website (HERE)
