Officials
Why Become a Fencing Official?
Without officials there are no competitions! The AFA is committed to growing a strong core of dedicated and knowledgeable officials to help ensure our youth/adults get the best fencing experience possible.
The Alberta Fencing Association is excited to offer its members 14 years of age and up the opportunity to take part in the AFA Referee Development Program.
An in-depth training clinic is being provided to all new recruits (those with no previous experience or any level of experience) which will give you the basics on fencing rules and the sport itself.
We are also encouraging adults to take part and join the ranks as a Fencing Official or Armourer. It’s a fun way to be involved in the sport your child loves. Officiating and Armoury is a great way for young fencers and parents to learn the sport!
Get Paid to Officiate!
Pay for Fencing Officials can vary, it is up to the host club what kind of payment schedule their officials will work on depending on the level of competition and certification level the official has. You have the ability to make your own schedule and take only the events that work for you. Whether you work 5 or 25 events this season is completely up to you. There are also opportunities to work your way up to National Level status if you so desire through the pathway, which opens much more rewarding doors as well!
Basic Registration to Becoming an AFA Registered Official
Step 1
Fill out the Expression of Interest form here. No experience is necessary to become an official! The AFA will need this information for all the training and certifications that you pursue. Records of your progress will be stored and updated in the AFA database. Emails will be sent to all individuals in the system when various clinic opportunities become available.
Step 2
Congratulations! You are now enrolled in the Referee Development Program. Depending at what level you are starting at, follow the correct referee streams below that you are interested in.
There are 3 streams in the AFA Referee Development Pathway for officials:
Referee Developer, Regional Referee or Provincial Referee. More details can be found here.
- Complete the Basic Registration Requirements as mentioned above: Expression of Interest/Enrollment form
- You must purchase at minimum an Associate Membership with your Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) for this level to be added onto the AFA Regional Referees Developer List.
- Register for the next available Referee Developer Workshop below if you wish to pursue becoming a club level developer in the weapon(s) of your choice.
- Congratulations! You can now certify individuals to become Regional Level Officials.
- Refresher courses will be conducted annually at various developmental events/tournaments.
- Pursue your Provincial Level Developer status if you are interested by sending a Letter of Intent to info@fencing.ab.ca!
Once Step 3 is completed the designation is Regional Referee Developer (in your respective weapon(s)).
WORKSHOP NOTES:
- Must be at minimum a Provincial Level Certified Official (P-Level) or community coach to register.
- Complete the Basic Registration Requirements as mentioned above: Expression of Interest/Enrollment form
- Register for the next available Regional Referee Clinic below if you wish to pursue becoming a club level referee in the weapon(s) of your choice.
- Complete Regional Level Clinic (Theory) and at least one Category 2 or 3 tournament to be regionally certified and added onto the AFA Regional Referees List.
- Congratulations! You can now referee club level events!
- Pursue your Provincial Level Certification if you are interested in the next stream!
Once Step 3 is completed the designation is Regional Referee (in your respective weapon(s)).
CLINIC NOTES:
- This Clinic is MANDATORY for all NEW Fencing Officials.
- Must be at minimum 14 years old as of December 31st of that year
- Complete the Basic Registration Requirements as mentioned above and previous stream: Expression of Interest/Enrollment form and Regional Referee Stream
- Notify the Alberta Fencing Association of the tournaments you are working at if you wish to pursue becoming a P-Level referee in the weapon(s) of your choice.
- Notify the Alberta Fencing Association of the tournaments that you are willing to be evaluated at as per Appendix 4 of the AFA Policies and Procedures Manual.
- You must purchase an officials membership with the Canadian Fencing Federation and your Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) for this level to be added onto the AFA Provincial Referees List.
- Congratulations! Once you pass the practical evaluation, you can now referee provincially sanctioned and Category 1 level events!
- Pursue your National Level Certification if you are interested by sending a Letter of Intent to info@fencing.ab.ca!
Once Step 4 is completed the designation is Provincial Referee (in your respective weapon(s)).
For more information about officiating please contact the Executive Director at: info@fencing.ab.ca
Thank you very much and the Alberta Fencing Association looks forward to working with you!
- Please see the Referee Manual on the Canadian Fencing Federation website on becoming a certified referee.
- Please see the FIE Website for information regarding Officials Rule book and documents.
- Please contact info@fencing.ab.ca for a list of Alberta Fencing Referees for your events.
