Ontario Lacrosse Referees Association

The Ontario Lacrosse Referees' Association (OLRA) is the governing body of officiating for all forms of Lacrosse in the province of Ontario. Currently membership is between 1,200 and 1,300 officials. The constitution of the OLRA was prepared in 1973 and most recently revised in 2008. The OLRA seeks to promote uniform interpretation and administration of the rules of lacrosse while actively developing and fostering referee development programs and encouraging camaraderie among referees of the sport. Please visit [http://www.ontariolacrosseofficials.ca Ontario Lacrosse Officials] for more details.

Details

The OLRA is an association of all referees and umpires, no matter their age or the skill level they have attained. The association is run by a board composed of the most experienced referees in both the Box and Field versions of the game. Every member of the Board exemplifies a significant knowledge of lacrosse and an ability that is both respected and admired by their peers. All board members who are currently active and in good standing with the OLRA have full voting privileges on matters pertinent to the OLRA.

All Members of the OLRA are expected to assist in developing referees throughout the year and to encourage growth and help develop a passion for the sport amongst newer officials. Often, more senior members will be asked act as Referee-In-Chief or Assistant-Referee-In-Chief for Ontario Provincial or Canadian National Championships. Further to this, Board Members Frank Lawrence, Terry King and Dale Sett (along with V.P. Technical Officiating of the OLA Kevin MacPherson) have established the Qualifier Program for extensive Men's Box Lacrosse Referee development. The Qualifier Program is a 3 - 5 year practical training program for referees who are working to advance their skills toward Jr. to Major competition.

The Association is governed by an Executive which is established to make any regulations dealing with the activities of the Association and its members. It is also the duty of the Executive to appoint committees to deal with special programs, projects or incidents. Currently, the Executive of the OLRA is Mark Gardonio, Brent McCauley, Tom Moxam, Jason Wiswell, Frank Lawrence, Matt Robinson, Wayne Paddick, Dieter Kirner (Minor Box), Sue Powless (Women's Box), Steven Taylor (Women's Field), and Kevin Caplice (Men's Field).

External links

* [http://www.ontariolacrosseofficials.ca Ontario Lacrosse Referees Association Official Website]