Are you be interested in officiating at curling events? It’s a great way to be involved in the game and can lead to rewarding experiences! These are volunteer positions and training courses are offered throughout the province for Level 1 and Level 2 officials/umpires.
Curling Alberta is proud to welcome back Cheryl Minns as Head of Officials for the 2024/25 season. For nearly 30 years, Cheryl has volunteered for NACA, Curling Alberta, Curling Canada, and World Curling, in many capacities from game timer to chief umpire. To assist Cheryl, we have also appointed three Officials Coordinators (listed below) who are spread geographically within our boundaries.
The officiating team will be sending out surveys via Survey Monkey this September to see who is available for each of our Curling Alberta playdowns. If you weren’t active last season, please contact Cheryl if you wish to be listed as an ‘active official’. Once that information is gathered, it will be shared with the Coordinators to assign Chief Umpires to qualifying events. Cheryl will be responsible to assign Chief Umpires to the various provincial championships.
Please feel free to contact any member of the officiating leadership team if you have any questions in regards to rules and officiating.
- Cheryl Minns (Head Official, [email protected])
- Andy Lessard (Lethbridge, [email protected])
- Sherry Cormier (Edmonton, [email protected])
- Christina Wards (Dawson Creek, [email protected])
Regional Officials Coordinator roles are currently available. Please review the posting here for more information.
Curling Canada recognizes the need to develop and implement a National Curling Officials Certification Program. The objective is to establish standard guidelines for the training and development of curling umpires who will be capable of officiating at regional, provincial/territorial or national championships.
Curling Canada has recently updated their website and has a tremendous amount of information and videos in regards to all levels of officiating. Even if you are a certified umpire, you may find a lot of value in reviewing this website for more information regarding measuring LSDs and various. Go to https://www.curling.ca/officials-and-umpires/ for more information.
Curling Canada Officiating Structure
TIME CLOCK OPERATOR/GAME OBSERVER (Previously LEVEL 1):
- This is now an ONLINE COURSE with NO REGISTRATION FEE.
- Click HERE for the Time Clock Operator Training Manual
- Curling Alberta now uses the CurlTime program at all timed events. Click HERE to review the Instruction Manual.
- Click HERE for the Observer Training Manual
- Requirements: submit the Time Clock Operator/Game Observer registration form (found HERE) to Jason Ginter at [email protected]
- Practical Requirements: must serve as Time Clock Operator or Observer at a Provincial or National championship for a minimum of 6 games under the direction of a certified Chief Umpire Level 3 or higher. (Practical component form can be found below)
GAME UMPIRE (Previously LEVEL 2):
- Requirements: Certified Time Clock Operator/Observer
- Attend a Game Umpire technical course, pass an open book officiating exam (70% required).
- Courses are offered throughout the province with a Level 3 or higher instructor, please check the schedule link below and register online or through Jason Ginter.
- Practical Requirements: must serve as a Game Umpire and/or Chief Timer at a Provincial Championship for a minimum of 6 games under the direction of a certified Chief Umpire Level 3 or higher. (Practical component form can be found below)
- Course fee is $55 and includes a rule book and ice access
Practical Component Form:
You will be provided with a practical component form when you register for a course. It is your responsibility to have this filled and out and signed by the chief umpire at the event you worked. When you have completed the required six (6) games, you can submit the form to the Curling Alberta office (Jason Ginter – [email protected]), who will in turn forward a copy to Curling Canada. The Umpire will be entered into the provincial database and registered in the National Database at Curling Canada.
- Click HERE for the Practical Component Form.
LEVEL 3: Curling Alberta Chief Umpire
- Requirements: Certified level 2 Game Umpire
- Receive their certification by successfully acting as a Deputy Chief Umpire and later as a Chief Umpire at a minimum of two provincial event(s) and receiving a positive evaluation of their performance by a Certified Level 3 Umpire. The recommendation for the Level 3 certification comes from a recommendation by Curling Alberta and is then submitted to Curling Canada.
LEVEL 4: National Game Umpire, Deputy Chief Umpire, & Chief Umpire CERTIFICATION
- Requirements: Certified Level 3 Umpire
- Recommended to Curling Canada by Curling Alberta Head of Officials
- Serve as a Game Umpire at two Curling Canada arena events and receive a positive evaluation from the Chief Umpire(s)
LEVEL 5: National Chief Umpire
- Requirements: Certified Level 4 National Umpire
- Serve as a Chief Umpire at two Curling Canada arena events and receive a positive evaluation from the Director, Championship Services for Curling Canada
Please check here for a list of dates and locations of Game Umpire Courses in the Curling Alberta region.
It is very important that you submit your registration forms to Curling Alberta to ensure your inclusion in the certification program. Curling Alberta will share your information with Curling Canada and you will receive confirmation of your certification from Curling Canada usually by the end of the current season or beginning of the following season.
If you are interested in becoming involved as an umpire, timer or volunteer at a Curling Alberta sanctioned event please email [email protected]. The list of sanctioned events can be found here.
