BECOME A FC LAVAL REFEREE
If you are 14 years or older and want to become a football referee, FC Laval offers a comprehensive training program to support your development as a referee.
Application: Complete the online registration form.
Link: Registration form
Interview: Plan and participate in an interview with FC Laval.
Training course: Take a mandatory two-day course offered by Soccer Québec.
Practical training: Refereeing the first match under the supervision of an experienced referee.
Start of activities: After completing all the steps, the referee can start working at FC Laval from the last week of May.
PROCESS TO BECOMING AN ARBITRATOR
TRAINING PROGRAM
New referees
First course: Offered by Soccer Québec (theoretical and practical).
Second course: Organized by the Laval Regional Soccer Association (ARSL) and FC Laval, focused on practice on the field.
Third lesson: Refereeing the first match, accompanied by an experienced referee.
2nd year referees
Refresher course on the Laws of the Game.
Field practice to improve positioning and communication.
Ability to referee matches as head referee in 9x9 and 11x11 format.
Referees of 3rd year and above
In-depth review of the Laws of the Game and theoretical test.
Live match analysis and evaluation with communication between referees.
Practical on-field training to refine decisions and positioning.
ASSIGNMENTS
FC Laval assigns all recreational and A level games (except senior). Senior A games and all AA games are assigned by the ARSL. AAA and PLSQ games are assigned by Soccer Quebec.
The assignment is made according to the availability of the referees with the PTS-REF platform
It is the referee's responsibility to put his availability every week. This system makes the assignor's job easier.
Officials must select their availability by the Monday before the assignment week. Then, the assigner will have until noon on the following Wednesday to post the assignments.
Since assignments are managed on a weekly basis, referees are required to accept their matches. It is their responsibility to find a replacement, if necessary. Obviously, the assignor must authorize the change.
The Assignment Officer shall, as far as possible, assign all club referees fairly according to their skills. Referees may indicate the soccer field(s) closest to their home to facilitate short trips.
The referee must, at all times, ensure that his PTS-REF account is up to date. Both in terms of availability and personal information.
FC Laval expects referees to be available on weekday evenings from Monday to Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. There are also games during the day on Saturday. The reference is for the summer season.
EVALUATION OF REFEREES AT FC LAVAL
Role of the assessor:
• Arrive 30 minutes before the match to check punctuality and the work of the referees.
• Observe and take notes during the match, adapting your analysis to the level of the referees (e.g.: communication and signals for beginners).
• Discuss with the referees for at least 30 minutes after the match to provide constructive advice.
• Writes an evaluation report within 48 hours, sent to the referees by the club.
Objective :
• Encourage and improve referees’ skills through constructive feedback.
The evaluation of referees is a priority for FC Laval, aimed at supporting their development and improving their performance, whatever their level.
Evaluation is a key tool to progress and excel in refereeing.
Become an evaluator:
• Express your interest to the arbitration director.
• Selection in collaboration with ARSL, which covers training costs.
• 2-day training, preceded by a theoretical and video exam (generally in January or February).
• More information on the Soccer Québec website.
PHYSICAL TEST FOR REFEREES
The FIFA High Intensity Test is used by Soccer Quebec to assess the physical condition of referees on the provincial list. It is divided into two phases, simulating the energy expended during a match.
Phase 1: Speed Test
• 6 40-meter sprints, with a maximum time of 6.8 seconds per sprint for district level referees.
• Short interval between each sprint (time to return to the starting line).
• A seventh sprint is allowed in case of failure, but it is necessary to complete 6 sprints within the allotted time.
• Time is measured by motion sensors.
Phase 2: Endurance Test
• Interval test with a total distance of 4,000 meters.
• The referee must run 75 meters in 18 seconds, followed by a 25 meter walk in 26 seconds.
• The cycle repeats 40 times.
• The test requires efficient time management and good cardiovascular endurance.
Preparation :
• Good physical preparation is essential to pass the test.
• Check out the FC Laval training video for preparation tips.
The required times vary depending on the level of refereeing. For more details, consult the official Soccer Québec document.
TRAINING FOR NEW REFEREES
Organized by Soccer Quebec.
FIFA Laws of the Game training in one weekend.
Includes a theoretical and practical component in the gymnasium.
Face-to-face session from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in a Laval school.
Online questionnaire on the Laws of the Game to be completed before training.
Mandatory to become a referee.
Organized by the Laval Regional Soccer Association (ARSL) and FC Laval.
Practical training in the field.
Teaching racing techniques, communication, flag handling and whistle use.
Duration: 4 hours (in May).
Mandatory to referee.
Organized by FC Laval.
Put into practice during exhibition matches.
Accompanied by an experienced referee throughout the match.
Learning routines before, during and after the match.
Objective: Prepare new referees to be autonomous.