PrintGuidelines & Regulations

2025/2026 Waterloo Referee Association Guidelines & Regulations

General Behaviour and Appearance

Officials

· Officials must arrive for their assignments neatly dressed, fit, and prepared for their assignment.

· House League and Select Levels: Casual dress is permitted; however, the following are not allowed: ripped clothing, jeans, caps, hoodies, T-shirts, shorts, sandals, “club wear,” or any local minor hockey association attire.

o Acceptable attire includes business casual clothing such as khakis, cords, or dress pants, collared shirts, sweaters, and overcoats.

· Representative Levels (BB and higher): For all exhibition, regular season, playoff, and tournament games, officials must wear dress pants, a collared shirt with a tie, or a turtleneck (with or without a sport/dress jacket).

· Officials are expected to conduct themselves professionally before, during, and after games.

Timekeepers

· Timekeepers must arrive neatly dressed, fit, and prepared for their assignment.

· Casual attire is permitted, but the following are not allowed: ripped clothing, jeans, caps, hoodies, “club wear,” or any local minor hockey association attire.

o Acceptable attire includes casual or business casual clothing such as khakis, cords, or dress pants, collared shirts, sweaters, and overcoats.

· During the game, the following are prohibited: use of phones, MP3 players, headphones/earbuds, completing homework, or socializing with friends.

· Parents of younger timekeepers may remain in the penalty box area if needed.

· Full attention must be on the game at all times. (You are being paid for this responsibility.)

Announcing During Games

In the following divisions, timekeepers are required to announce all goals, penalties, and the final minute of each period:

· Boys: U16 AAA, U18 AA, U18 AAA

· Girls: U15 AA, U22 AA

Suggested Announcements:

· Goals: “(Team) goal scored by number __ (player name), assisted by number __ (player name), and number __ (player name). Time of the goal: __.”

· Penalties: “(Team) penalty to number __ (player name). __ minutes for __. Time of the penalty: __.”

Availability

· All officials and timekeepers are expected to remain available for assignments throughout the hockey season, including tryouts, exhibitions, tournaments, regular season, playoffs, and playdowns.

· Unavailable dates and times must be entered into the assignment system as soon as they are known.

· Attendance at scheduled membership meetings (September–April) is mandatory unless you are actively refereeing or timekeeping at that time.

o New for 2025/26: Meeting attendance will be tracked and may influence advancement opportunities within the association.

· If unable to attend a meeting, officials and timekeepers must notify the Referee-in-Chief or scheduler in writing within 24 hours.

Punctuality

Missed Assignments

Missed assignments are disruptive and may lead to shortened games, cancellations, or costly re-bookings.

· Once posted, an assignment is the responsibility of the official.

· Officials must regularly check both their email and the assignment system.

Switching/Substitutions

· Assigned games remain the responsibility of the official unless a qualified replacement is secured.

· Substitutes must be appropriately classified for the level of play.

· Each official/timekeeper is entitled to one exemption per year.

o To use this exemption, the assignor must be contacted within 24 hours of receiving the assignment.

o This exemption cannot be extended or repeated.

· All substitution arrangements must be submitted in writing by both parties to the assignor and accepted by them. Without acceptance, the original official remains responsible for the game.

Incentives

· Travel Fees: A $10 surcharge will be paid per official/timekeeper for single exhibition or regular-season games defined as less than 40 minutes of stop time.

· Short Notice Scheduling: $10 surcharge for assignments scheduled with less than 72 hours’ notice (excluding switches).

· Short Notice Cancellations: $5 surcharge for cancellations made with more than 24 but less than 48 hours’ notice.

· Late Cancellations: Full game fee for the first game + $10 per additional game if cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice.

o Exceptions: No surcharges will be paid for cancellations beyond WMHA/WGMHA’s control (e.g., unsafe ice, weather, road closures, facility issues).

· Parking Costs: Officials and timekeepers will be reimbursed for weekday parking charges (excluding fines/violations).

Fines and Suspensions

Dress Code Violations

· 1st Offence: $10 fine

· 2nd Offence: $20 fine

· 3rd Offence: Immediate two-week suspension & meeting with Discipline Committee

Late for Assignment (Officials)

· Officials must be in the referees’ room at least 30 minutes before game time.

· Late arrival without proper notification will result in:

o 1st Offence: $10 fine

o 2nd Offence: $15 fine

o 3rd Offence: $20 fine + one-month suspension

o 4th Offence: Suspension for remainder of season

Late on the Ice – Officials

· Officials must be ready to begin at the scheduled start time.

· Arriving on the ice after puck drop but without delaying the game:

o 1st Offence: $20 fine

o 2nd Offence: $30 fine + meeting with Discipline Committee

o 3rd Offence: $30 fine + one-month suspension + meeting with Discipline Committee

Late for the Game – Timekeepers

· Arriving after puck drop but without delaying the game:

o 1st Offence: $5 fine

o 2nd Offence: $15 fine + meeting with Discipline Committee

o 3rd Offence: $25 fine + one-month suspension + meeting with Discipline Committee

Missed Assignment – Officials

o 1st Offence: $30 fine

o 2nd Offence: $50 fine + one-month suspension

o 3rd Offence: $50 fine + indefinite suspension (disciplinary hearing required)

Missed Assignment – Timekeepers

o 1st Offence: $20 fine

o 2nd Offence: $30 fine + one-month suspension

o 3rd Offence: $30 fine + indefinite suspension (disciplinary hearing required)

Late Call for Emergency Procedures

· Failure to call emergency line at least 25 minutes prior:

o 1st Offence: $5 fine

o 2nd Offence: $10 fine

o 3rd Offence: $20 fine + one-month suspension + meeting with Discipline Committee

Chronic Fines or Suspensions

Repeated fines or suspensions may result in a disciplinary hearing and/or indefinite suspension.

On-Ice Performance Suspensions

Performance-related suspensions will be handled by the ALLIANCE or OWHA. Local suspensions may be issued by the Officials Operating Committee for breaches of these guidelines or conduct unbecoming. Notifications will be provided in writing.

Grievance and Appeal

· Officials or timekeepers may appeal suspensions or fines over $20.

· Appeals must be in writing and submitted to the Referee-in-Chief within 72 hours.

· Hearings will be scheduled within 7 days and held within 15 days unless circumstances prevent this.

· The suspended individual will receive at least 48 hours’ notice.

· The Grievance and Appeal Sub-Committee will consist of at least three of the following:

o Referee-in-Chief

o Assignor

o Alliance Supervisor (or appointed representative)

o A representative from WMHA or WGMHA (depending on the offence association)

Discipline Committee

· Up to five members in good standing with the Alliance, which may include: