Two of Canada’s top officials have recently been named to the officiating teams at two major international events.
Wayne Smith (Ontario) and David Howard (Ontario) have been appointed to two of the biggest international competitions on the 2017-18 squash calendar. Smith will be part of the officiating team at the upcoming WSF Men’s World Team Championship in Marseille, France, while Howard has been named to the officials’ team for the XXI Commonwealth Games, Gold Coast 2018 in Australia.
Smith, born in New Zealand, is Canada’s lone WSF (World Squash Federation) certified level Referee. He has had a tremendous tenure as a squash referee, acting as a panelist for the restructuring of Canada’s Officiating Program in 2013 and 2015, and acts as a WSF /PSA liaison to Squash Canada’s Officiating Committee, keeping the committee informed and up to date on the happenings of officiating at the international and professional levels. Smith has held the position of Tournament Referee for numerous national and professional events in Canada, such as the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Canadian Squash Championships. He has also been involved in many international events abroad, such as Women’s World Championships, The Tournament of Champions and many Junior Events.
Smith has also been very proactive in encouraging people to become interested in refereeing squash and getting them “behind the clipboard”. Smith, an advocate for Canadian officials and their pursuit of knowledge and experience, is a firm believer in continued growth gained through those experiences. Being appointed to the World event is another such opportunity for he himself. “The selection for me, allows me to work again with the elite squash referees in the world,” said Smith upon hearing of his appointment. “The experience and knowledge you gain at this level of event is immeasurable; from the sharing of tips and techniques for managing a match to the focus of your physical and mental preparation for a top tier event and matches within – you develop and grow as an official with each day.”
Howard, an active member of the Canadian officiating community since 1990, is a national level official in Canada and carries an FPS Regional Level referee designation. Howard chairs Squash Canada’s Officiating Committee and has been a constant leader amongst the Canadian squash officiating community for over a decade. On top of the numerous Canadian championships, Howard has been a member of the officiating team at international competitions including the 2014 Women’s World Team Championships (as Tournament Referee) and most recently at the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto.
Howard was humbled by the selection and cannot wait to head to the southern hemisphere to be a part of the event. “I’m thrilled and excited to be chosen as an official for the Commonwealth Games,” said Howard upon receiving word of his appointment. “It’s a great honor to be representing Canada at this event.”
“Canadian officials being appointed to major international competitions is a true testament to the quality of officials we have in our country,” said Dan Wolfenden, Executive Director for Squash Canada. “Both Dave and Wayne have been pillars of the Canadian squash officiating community as leaders, as very active officials, and proponents of continued growth and development of our officials. Their own, continued development of their officiating at the international level is a true testament to their passion and pride for the game. We are thrilled that both have received these appointments and are positive they will represent the Canadian officiating community well.”
In partnership with Provincial and Territorial Associations, Squash Canada has an established certification program, and provides development, training and assessment opportunities to advance from club through to national certification designation, and nominations to International certification designations and competitions.