The primary objectives of the Pickleball Canada Officiating Program are:
- to provide a development and training environment for individuals wishing to become pickleball game officials, and
- to maintain a high level of officiating.
Pickleball Canada has defined a 3 tier referee system
There are three recognized levels in the PCO Officiating Program
Level 1 Referee
Level 1 is designed to give individuals adequate education, practice and vetting to be confident to officiate tournament matches up to certain levels.
Level 2 Referee
Additional experience and higher compliance rates will be expected and verified through a more stringent vetting process. Fewer match type restrictions and less supervision will apply. This stage may be the ‘destination’ for many individuals wishing to officiate pickleball matches.
PCO Certified Referee
This stage will be achieved through more stringent practice conditions, rules and best practices compliance and vetting. Match restrictions and supervision needs are virtually eliminated.
Where to start and how to get there
Any individual previously trained and qualified as either a PCO Scorekeeper or a PCO Associate Referee will be required to re-enter the PCO Referee at the very base. The current standards for PCO Level 1 Referee are new and the PCO Level 2 Referee standard has been upgraded. Combine that with the passage of time and the introduction of numerous rule changes, a significant review and refresh will be required. Relevant retained knowledge, practices and confidence will be taken into account during this upgrading process.
The upgrade process should include:
- A review and verification by online tests of USAPA Rulebook – International Edition knowledge. The review portion may be self driven.
- Attending an in class presentation Officiating Best Practices. Verification by successful completion of the Officiating Best Practices online test will be required.
- All test marks to be to the Level 1 Referee and Level 2 Referee standards, as appropriate.
- Additional on court training or review may be required
- Finally vetting by Level 2 or higher qualified personnel
For individuals just starting to learn the art and craft of refereeing the following chart details: prerequisites, education, training, experience expectations, the vetting processes and the ongoing follow up one must adhere to not only remain current with all rules and practices but also to retain their rating or Certification.
PCO Officiating Program Level Criteria Chart
| Level 1 Referee | Level 2 Referee | Certified Referee | |
| Prerequisites | Current PCO Membership | Current PCO Membership | Current PCO Membership |
| General knowledge of pickleball | One year after the date of being rated as a Level 1 Referee and having completed at least 15 tournament matches | Two years after the date of being rated as a Level 2 Referee and having completed at least 80 tournament matches | |
| Jurisdiction *1 | All tournaments, non medal matches, no line judges | All tournaments including medal matches, as determined by the Head Official or Tournament Director. | All tournaments, All situations |
| Supervision *2 | Discussion with Head Official or Tournament Director prior to every match | Guidance from Head Official or Tournament Director at beginning of each day | Discussion with Head Official or Tournament Director at the beginning of each day |
| Education / Training Requirements *3 | |||
| USAPA Rulebook – International Edition. | Self Study | Self Study | Self Study |
| PCO Referee Handbook | Self Study | Self Study | Self Study |
| PCO Best Practice Power Point Slides | Classroom session recommended | Self Study | Self Study |
| PCO Referee Rules Test | Achieve 80 % | Achieve 90 % | Achieve 90 % |
| PCO Best Practices Test | Achieve 80 % | Achieve 90 % | Achieve 90 % |
| PCO Line Judge Test | Achieve 90 % | Achieve 90 % | Achieve 90 % |
| Additional Activity Required | On court training/practice minimum 4 games *4 | Monitored practice minimum 3 games | Referee Evaluation Completed |
| Ongoing mentoring | Level 2 Trainer or Mentor | Level 2 Trainer or Mentor | Certified Referee |
| Game Experience Prior to Vetting | |||
| Doubles | 10 | 20 | 80 |
| Stacked | 2 | 5 | 10 |
| With Line Judges | 3 | 5 | |
| Vetting / Evaluation | |||
| Observed Games | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Vetting By *5 | Level 2 Trainer or Certified Referee Trainer | Level 2 Trainer or Certified Referee Trainer | Certified Referee Evaluator |
| Recognition | Red neck wallet & ID card | Red neck wallet & ID card | Red neck wallet, ID card & Referee T-shirt |
| Before Every Tournament – review or retake *6 | |||
| USAPA Rulebook – International Edition | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended |
| PCO Referee Handbook | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended |
| PCO Best Practice Power Point Slides | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended |
| PCO Referee Rules Test | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended |
| PCO Best Practices Test | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended |
| PCO Line Judge Test | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended |
| Maintenance Qualifications | |||
| Every 6 Months – provide evidence *7 | |||
| USAPA Rulebook – International Edition | Self Study | Self Study | Self Study |
| PCO Referee Handbook | Self Study | Self Study | Self Study |
| PCO Best Practice Power Point Slides | Self Study | Self Study | Self Study |
| PCO Referee Rules Test | Achieve 80 % | Achieve 90 % | Achieve 90 % |
| PCO Best Practices Test | Achieve 80 % | Achieve 90 % | Achieve 90 % |
| PCO Line Judge Test | Achieve 90 % | Achieve 90 % | Achieve 90 % |
| Minimum Matches per Annum *8 | 10 | 10 | 20 |
| Attend Rules Update Briefing | Annually | Annually | Annually |
Notes
| 1 | Tournament Director or Head Referee may increase depending on circumstances |
| 2 | Designed to instill confidence, uniform approach and methods |
| 3 | Take and show evidence of online tests. This evidence will be recorded by PCO. |
| 4 | On court training a necessity for Level 1 participants and should follow the classroom session ASAP. |
| 5 | PCO Referee Rating Form to be followed. Copy available online. |
| 6 | To be current and fresh, a review prior to each tournament is recommended. |
| 7 | Results will be submitted for inclusion in the PCO database. |
| 8 | If insufficient sanctioned matches are officiated, additional refreshing and a re-evaluation may be required. |