The Ontario Minor Hockey Association and Force Sports, the official sponsor of the OMHA Referee Program, hosted eight Enhanced Entry Level Clinics to train and mentor new officials. The schools in Barrie, Belleville, Clinton, Elmira, Milton, Oshawa, Strathroy and Windsor were part of the program’s 29th year of providing new officials with the start of their officiating experience.

The OMHA Enhanced Entry Level Clinics offer new officials the methods and procedures of officiating in both the 2 and 3 official systems. They instruct uniform interpretation of the rules while teaching effective communication strategies and techniques. By completing the weekend, students acquired officiating skills and rule knowledge while gaining OMHA and Hockey Canada certification requirements for the upcoming season.

The weekend included an intensive, action packed agenda with classroom instructional sessions and two on-ice training sessions.

Students received a Fox40 whistle and Hockey Canada, Ontario Hockey Federation and OMHA uniform cresting. Those under the age of 18 received a Green Arm Band.

There are hundreds of new referees trained each year in the Ontario Minor Hockey Association with over 600 graduating from the OMHA Enhanced Entry Level Clinics. There are currently over 3,000 active officials registered with the OMHA.