Certification Program - Doubles

 

Squash Ontario's Officiating Program encompasses all aspects in the training of officials/instructors and the education of the squash community with regard to the Rules of Squash in both singles and doubles.  Squash Ontario works in cooperation with Squash Canada and the World Squash Federation in an effort to ensure that all matches (singles and doubles) are contested safely and fairly.

Certification clinics are similar to rules clinics but are much more in depth.  The fee for the certification clinic is $40.00 plus HST per adult and $35.00 plus HST per junior (includes clinic materials and exam).  Should a member club wish to host a certification clinic, please contact Squash Ontario.  Registration fees are payable in advance to Squash Ontario using VISA/MC.

The clinic combines classroom instruction and on court practical simulation.  A certification clinic is approximately six hours and there must be eight registered participants for a course to proceed.  These clinics are open to anyone who is interested in becoming a certified official.

Below is the Squash Canada Doubles Officiating Program Administration Manual that outlines the certification process for Doubles Officiating.  To view a PDF version of the Manual, click here.

 

Doubles Officiating Certification Process

 

There are two levels of referees: Provincial and National. To become a certified official, a candidate must:

 

 

• attend a full certification clinic

• pass the written examination

• pass the practical test

 

Certification Clinic

The rules of squash and their interpretation are presented. There is also a practical demonstration during which candidates are given the opportunity to practice officiating.

Certification clinics are organized by Provincial and Territorial Squash Associations and delivered by National Examiners.

Written Examination

The written examination is usually taken following the certification clinic, but may be taken at a later date. The examination consists of True/False questions and Short Answer questions on the rules and their interpretation. It tests the candidate’s knowledge of the responsibilities of the Referee and Judges. The written examination must be conducted by a National Examiner. The written examination must be successfully completed (minimum of 80%) prior to attempting the Practical Test.

 

If a candidate fails the written examination, he/she may retake it once without having to retake the clinic, provided the initial failure mark is not below 65%.

 

Note: At the conclusion of the written examination and after grading the answer sheets, the National Examiner should review the exam with the candidates. Each question that was answered incorrectly should be discussed, and the candidate should be given the opportunity to explain the answer given. If the National Examiner is satisfied that the incorrect answer was solely a result of misunderstanding the question, then the National Examiner may give the candidate credit for a correct answer for that question.

Practical Test

The practical test will be held in conjunction with competitive play, either a tournament or league match. The initial referee assessment involves giving at least 10 correct decisions and being competent and consistent in the interpretation of the rules. The initial assessment must be given by a National Examiner. If a candidate fails the practical test, he/she may retake it without having to retake the clinic.

 

Initial Certification and Upgrading

 

Candidates who take the certification clinic and pass both the written examination and practical test will become certified officials at the Provincial level.

 

Upon successful completion of each requirement, the details must be recorded on the Doubles Certification Record. When all requirements have been completed, the National Examiner will assign the initial level of certification on the front cover, confirmed by a signature. At this time, the newly certified official must submit a photocopy of the Doubles Certification Record to the Provincial/Territorial Association.

 

Officials who become certified may improve their level of certification through a process of upgrading. Upgrading is achieved by gaining practical experience and being observed and assessed by National level officials (i.e., National level referees and National Examiners).

 

To upgrade to a National level referee, the candidate must obtain five recommendations, from National level referees and National Examiners, by refereeing competitive matches equivalent to those involving the top 40 Canadian men or the top 40 Canadian women (the assessors shall determine equivalencies). At least two of the recommendations must be at the “A” (very difficult) level, with the remaining recommendations being at the “B” (difficult) level. The candidate must give a minimum of 10 correct decisions in each match, of which a sufficient number are deemed to be difficult by the assessor, and demonstrate competence at this level. At least one of the recommendations must be given by a National Examiner and this must be an “A” recommendation.

 

Definition of "A" Recommendation

 

The Squash Canada Doubles Officiating Committee believes that the credibility of the entire program is dependent on the setting and maintaining of high standards. By achieving the National level in the doubles officiating program, a referee is supposed to be able to handle any match played in our National Championships. In order to prove to any assessors that they can perform to that level, referees must actually do it - that is, referee satisfactorily a very difficult match - one which the Committee has defined as an “A” match.

 

In order to achieve National level, a candidate must referee at least 1 match that that is assessed by a National Examiner and qualifies as an “A” recommendation. The decision as to whether the match qualifies as an “A” recommendation rests with the assessor, who will take into account the following factors:

  • the number and difficulty of the referee’s decisions
  • the behaviour and personalities of the players
  • the crowd - its mood and reactions
  • the “importance” of the event
  • the physical surroundings
  • the competence of judges
  • the presence of an assessor

The Committee recognizes that any or all of these factors can contribute to a match becoming very difficult, and wants the assessor to have some confidence that the candidate is able to handle any or all of these pressures. This is not to say that all of

these factors must be present for a match to be considered worthy of an “A” recommendation. However, the assessor must be satisfied that, based on the candidate’s performance, none of these factors would likely cause the candidate any trouble.

Doubles Certification Clinic

The implementation of the Certification Clinic is a Provincial/Territorial responsibility. The clinic consists of two modules:

 

  • classroom presentation
  • on-court practical session

Typically these modules are offered together, normally on a weekend (approximately six hours).

 

The Provincial/Territorial Association sets dates for each certification clinic, arranges a facility to hold each clinic, registers participants, and names a National Examiner to conduct each clinic. The Provincial/Territorial Association also should obtain clinic materials and clinic administration forms from Squash Canada at least two weeks prior to the clinic (Squash Canada will invoice the Provincial/Territorial Association for all materials sent).

 

A National Examiner conducts each certification clinic. At the end of the clinic, the National Examiner must complete and sign the relevant sections of the Doubles Certification Record for every candidate to ensure that all candidates receive credit for each module completed. The National Examiner also submits the appropriate clinic registration and evaluation forms to the Provincial/Territorial Association.

Doubles Written Examination

The written examination is normally taken immediately following the completion of the certification clinic, but may be taken at a later time. The written examination is conducted by a Provincial Examiner according to the following standards:

 

  • one hour will be allowed for completion of the examination
  • after all examinations have been submitted and scored, the National Examiner will review questions and correct answers with all candidates
  • the examination score will be recorded in the appropriate section of each candidate’s Doubles Certification Record, and the National Examiner will sign each record
  • the examination scores will also be recorded on the written examination registration form
  • candidates are permitted to refer to clinic materials but no other materials during the written exam

Following the written examination, the National Examiner submits the written examination registration form to the Provincial/Territorial Association.

 

Doubles Practical Test

The implementation of the practical test is a Provincial/Territorial responsibility. The practical test is held in conjunction with competitive play, either a tournament or league match. A candidate must have attended a certification clinic and passed the written examination (i.e., obtained a mark of at least 80%) to attempt the practical test. If a candidate fails the practical test, he/she may retake the test without having to retake the certification clinic or rewrite the examination.

 

The practical test is administered by a National Examiner according to the following standards:

 

the practical test is done in conjunction with a competitive match involving any level of play

to pass the practical test the candidate must give at least 10 correct decisions and be competent and consistent in the interpretation of the rules

the recommended grade will be recorded in the appropriate section of the candidate’s Doubles Certification Record, and the National Examiner will sign the booklet

 

A candidate who passes the practical test will become a Provincial level certified official.

 

Following the successful completion of the practical test, the National Examiner submits the results of the practical test to the Provincial/Territorial Association, and the newly certified official submits a photocopy of his/her Doubles Certification Record to the Provincial/Territorial Association.

 

National Examiners

Each year, the Squash Canada Doubles Officiating Committee reviews the program needs and, as required, invites applications from the Provincial/Territorial Associations for National Examiner positions. To be confirmed as an National Examiner, a candidate must be a National level referee, and be observed by another National Examiner while performing an assessment and subsequent debriefing of a candidate seeking an National level recommendation.

 

Doubles Officiating - Flowchart