In the grand tapestry of football, the referee weaves the threads of fair play, integrity, and sportsmanship.
Without them, there is no game.
Become a Referee
Refereeing is an important part of the game and a great way to stay involved in soccer. It supports player development while helping individuals build confidence, leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.
At WIA, we support referees at every stage, from those just getting started to those progressing within the provincial pathway.
Referee education is delivered through BC Soccer using a hybrid model that combines self-guided online learning with in-class and on-field sessions.
This approach allows referees to build a strong understanding of the game while applying their knowledge in practical environments.
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The entry point of officiating Small Sided soccer.
Once individuals are successful in passing this course, they may officiate in any matches up to U13 and/or Small Sided matches.
12 Years Old On Or Before Dec 31 Of Current Year
Can Officiate Age Groups Up To U13+ (5V5 - 9v9 Match Formats)
16hrs Course Length.
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The entry point of officiating 11-a-side soccer.
Topics covered include: Laws Of The Game, Positioning, Signals, Administration Of The Game, Preparation, & Match Reporting.
14 Years Old On Or Before Dec 31 Of Current Year
Can Officiate Age Groups U14+ (11v11 Match Formats)
16hrs Course Length.
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The Regional Level Referee Clinic is for referees who are looking to achieve the next level in the Provincial Referee Program and be able to referee high-level matches.
The goal of this three-day clinic is to teach and give appropriate tools to all individuals to advance their skills.
The topics covered include:
Laws of the Game
FIFA Fitness Test and Warm-up procedures
Dealing with Confrontation
Role of the Assistant Referee
Achieving and Maintaining Match Control
Right place Right time
Recognizing Challenges
Pre-requisite: Must currently be a BC Soccer Registered Referee
Course Length: 17 hours. -
The Provincial Referee Clinic is for referees who are looking to achieve the next level in the Provincial Referee Program and have the skills to meet the requirements of a Provincial Referee.
Pre-requisite: Must currently be a BC Soccer Registered Referee and apply for consideration, or have been nominated by the BC Soccer Referee Committee at its Annual Review in December.
Referee must have completed the FIFA fitness test and also passed and completed an online examination on the Laws of the Game before the course. This exam will be administered and evaluated by either the CSA Referee department or BC Soccer Referee department, and the candidates must pass with a mark of not less than 80% (Note: officials are only offered one attempt at this examination – this is a single annual examination set by the CSA and there are no retakes).
Course Length: 17 hours
The three-day course is an intensive mix of practical and theoretical referee training.
Meet OUR HEAD REFEREE
David Schmidt-Schwener began refereeing in 2012 and has steadily progressed through the referee development pathway, achieving Regional Referee status in 2015 and Provincial Referee status in 2021.
His officiating experience includes League1 BC, university matches, and the Canadian Premier League (CPL). In 2022, David was accepted into Canada Soccer’s Elite Development Program, recognizing his continued growth and potential within the Canadian referee pathway.
David is passionate about creating positive match environments and helping referees build confidence, communication skills, decision-making ability, and a deeper understanding of the game.