Supporting Officials’ Development

New Requirements for Conducting Referee Coaching Reviews (RCRs)

Currently, any Level V official may conduct a Referee Coaching Review (RCR) for officials working toward Level IV or Level V. To support greater consistency and quality in the evaluation process, Swim Ontario is phasing in new requirements for officials who conduct RCRs. We are also expanding the role of experienced Level IV officials.

New REMS Credential

This season, a new credential will be added in REMS to show which officials are approved to provide RCRs. Officials who have already completed the Referee Assessment Training will see this credential added to their REMS profile soon.

Requirements for Level V Officials

To conduct RCRs, Level V officials must meet the following requirements. Level V officials who currently provide RCRs and wish to continue must complete RCR Training before March 1, 2027, and a collaborative RCR with a provincial evaluator before September 1, 2027.

• Effective immediately: At least 1 year at Level V
• Effective March 1, 2027: Attend RCR Training
• Effective September 1, 2027: Complete a collaborative RCR with a provincial evaluator before conducting RCRs independently
• Ongoing: Actively develop the skills of an effective evaluator, including providing constructive feedback, coaching officials, and supporting their development

New: Expanded Role for Approved Level IV Officials

To support clubs with limited access to Level V officials, and to recognize the many years of active service of our experienced Level IV officials, Swim Ontario is expanding what approved Level IV officials can do.

Approved Level IV officials will be able to:

• Conduct RCRs for officials progressing from Level III to Level IV. Level IV candidates may submit a maximum of one RCR conducted by a Level IV official as part of their evaluation requirements.
• Observe Level IV candidates officials instructing a clinic as part of their certification requirement.

To become approved, Level IV officials must:

• Have at least 3 years as a Level IV
• Attend RCR Training
• Complete a collaborative RCR with a provincial evaluator before conducting RCRs independently
• Receive a final recommendation from the Referee Evaluations Working Group and approval by Swim Ontario

Approval is granted once all requirements are complete.

Next RCR Training Session: November 17

The Referee Evaluations Committee will be hosting an online Referee Coaching Review (RCR) Training Session, previously called Referee Assessment Training on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. 

Registration form

Participation will be limited to 15 officials. Registration confirmation, along with the meeting link, will be sent in advance of the session.

Additional sessions will be scheduled throughout the season. For those attending OJIs in December, we will run an in-person RCR Training Session between sessions on one of the competition days. 

Questions

Please send any questions about these changes to the Referee Evaluations Working Group at refevals@swimontario.com.