Thank you to the many Officials that took time to respond to our recent surveys. While we are still reviewing much of the information we collected, we want to share a small sampling of what we heard from you:
- Approximately 30% of our Provincial/Sectional Officials have been less active since the start of the pandemic while approximately 10% have not been active at all.
- Approximately 25% of our STAR 1-4/Juvenile/BLTO Officials have been less active since the start of the pandemic while approximately 30% have not been active at all.
- However, 40% of Sectional/Provincial series Officials and 60% of STAR 1-4/Juvenile/BLTO officials plan to be MORE active in the coming seasons.
- We heard that many officials are interested in pursuing qualifications at a higher level in many different roles and disciplines.
- When it comes to Continuing Education, officials strongly consider in-person seminars and mentoring the most impactful methods of learning.
- However, on-line pre-season updates were considered the best way to prepare for the start of a new season.
- Several officials that have not been active in some time also indicated a desire to reactivate and refresh their qualifications and a few indicated they were choosing to step away from their officiating career at this point.
- Approximately 60% of officials indicated they would be interested in having a conversation about their officiating goals and individual pathways.
Using this information, the Promotions & Pathway Working Group has been busy doing the following:
- Liaising with the Assignments Sectional Series Working Group to assist in high level planning for the season at Sectional Series events.
- Liaising with the Education & Development Working Group to scope out suggested activities for the 2023-24 season that will best address the many different needs of our vast Ontario officials’ community.
- Considering the best methodology for connecting with officials during the Spring/Summer months to engage in conversations about their goals and pathways.
