Officials are invaluable volunteers in our sport who are often former skaters or individuals with an interest in giving back their time and supporting competitions and skaters. Candidates who wish to become a qualified official, must attend Skate Canada approved training clinics, practical assessments, and other established criteria for the promotion they are seeking at each level.
There are different opportunities and pathways as an official in figure skating. These include:
- STAR 1 - 4 Event Event Assessor
- Judge & Referee
- Technical Panel (Technical Controller & Technical Specialist)
- Evaluator
- Data Specialist
Eash pathway has specific requirements for appointment at each level and some have specific training for each discipline (Singles, Pairs, Ice Dance and Synchronized Skating).
If you are interested in pursuing this rewarding volunteer activity, please reach out to the Skate Saskatchewan for more information or to register for training opportunities.
STAR 1 - 4 Event Assessors assess the elements and program performed by skaters at competitions by applying assessment standards published by Skate Canada.
There is a separate training and promotion for each level of judge or referee and for each discipline (Singles, Pairs, Ice Dance and Synchronized Skating).
Individuals wishing to pursue this pathway must mee the following prerequisites:
- Hold a STAR 1 - 4 Event Assessor qaulfication; and
- Have a skating background as:
- Any two STAR 5 Free Skate, Skills, Dance assessments; or
- Any one STAR 6 Free Skate, Skills, Dance assessment.
A judge or referee officiates competitions at the Juvenile, Novice or Senior Invitataional level and advances to the Senior Section level in the applicable discipline. Progress form one level to the next is determined by the judge's activity, success at the previous level, attendance at training seminars, and passing the appropriate written exam and technical knowledge.
To qualify as Challenge level judge or referee, the candidate must be Senior Section level in the applicable discipline. Exam opportunities are announced on an annual basis by Skate Canada and candidates are selected through all application process. Exam candidates are assessed on technical knowledge, communication skills, deportment and leadership before being promoted.
To qualify as a Canadian judge or referee, the candidate must be Challenge level in the applicable discipline. Exam opportunities are determined by Skate Canada on annual basis. There is not application process as candidates are selected by Skate Canada. Exam candidates are assessed on tehcnial knowledge, communication skilles, deportment and leadership and complete a written exam before being promoted.
A Canadian level judge or referee may be nominated to become an international appointment after the appropriate Skate Canada exam and attending an international seminar. International officials must conform to the requirements as set by the ISU. International judges must be less than 60 years old when first appointed and retirement is mandatory at age 70.
The highest level a judge or referee can attain is that the ISU Championships. Judges and referees are eligible to officiate at World and Olympic Championships in the applicable discipline of their promotion. Candidates must have a minimum of four (4) years experience as an international judge or referee in the discipline, pass the required examinations, and conform to the ISU requirements.
Technical officials are responsible for the accurate the identification of elements and specific levels of difficulty of certain elements as performed in a program by a skater(s). They identify illegal or additional elements and falls. They authorize and correct calls as necessary.
Individuals wishing to pursue this pathway must have a skating background as:
- Any two STAR 5 Free Skate, Skills or Dance assessments or,
- Any one STAR 6 or higher Free Skate, Skills or Dance assessment.
Base Level Technical Official (BLTO) is qualified to act on a panel at or below a specified level of competition in singles only and can only be assigned to events where elements can be called no higher than base level and juvenile singles.
An individual responsbile for the accurate technical panel process and authorizes and corrects elements as performed during the event. Technical controllers are qualified to act on panels at or below a specified level of competition in one or more of singles, pairs, ice dance or synchronized skating. There is a separate training and exam process in each discipline.
Promotion levels are similar to Judge and Referee:
- Section / Region Level
- Challenge Level
- Canadian Level
- International Level
- ISU Level
An individual who identifies elements and levels of difficulty of certain elements in competition. The technical specialist also identifies falls and illegal elements. Technical specialists are qualified to act on panels at or below a specified level of competition in one or more singles, pairs, ice dance or synchronized skating. There is a separate training and exam process in ach discipline.
Promotion levels are similar to Judge and Referee:
- Section/Region Level
- Challenge Level
- Canadian Level
- International Level
- ISU Level
Evaluators complete assessments for skaters at organized assessment days or at training sessions. Evaulators apply assessment standards as determined by Skate Canada in the disciplines of Free Skate, Skills, Dance and Artistic from STAR 6 to Gold.
Individuals wishing to pursue this pathway must have a skating background as:
- Any two STAR 5 Free Skate, Skills or Dance assessments or,
- Any one STAR 6 or higher Free Skate, Skills or Dance assessment.
Data Specialists (DS) are trained individuals, who are appointed to calculate the results of sanctioned figure skating events.
Promotion levels are similar to the Judge and Referee:
- Introductory
- Level I
- Level II
- Level III