Officials Training and Certification Program
OTCP Overview
Water Polo Canada uses the Officials Training and Certification Program (OTCP) as its officials’ education and development tool. Officials include both referees and minor officials.
The Officials Training and Certification Program (OTCP) made changes back in 2014 for the purpose aligning the referee development system with water polo’s Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) pathway model and with the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) for water polo. The OTCP courses and the requirements for each certification levels are based on the LTAD philosophy of being athlete-centered, coach-driven, and administration/sport science/sponsor-supported.
Key Evaluation Information
- Only events specifically identified by WPC and the PSOs will be eligible as evaluation opportunities;
- Only one referee can be evaluated during any given game;
- In order to complete certification at any level, referees must be evaluated by at least 2 different evaluators;
- Cost of evaluation will be covered by the referee waiving their usual remuneration/honoraria for the game during which the evaluation will take place.
Referee Developers
Do not hesitate to contact your Water Polo Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) for more information.
OTCP Pathways
The Regional Referee course is an entry level referee education program into the competition stream. People entering this course should have some prior water polo experience as a player, coach, minor official, or Community Referee. Athletes and coaches are receiving their first exposure to organized and structured competition. The type of competition for the Regional Referee is regional and provincial events. The Regional Referee involves training in the basic rules of water polo, and training as a minor official. The Regional Referee is taught to apply age appropriate FINA rules based on the growth and development principles, and the purpose of competition, of the stage of development of LTAD.
The Provincial Referee course is an entry level referee education program into the National competition program. People entering this course must have water polo experience as a player, coach, or Regional Referee. Referees are expected to already possess knowledge of the basic rules of water polo. The Provincial Referee will be officiating a wide variety of experienced athletes and coaches at the Provincial and National levels. The Provincial Referee involves training in the advanced rules of water polo. The Provincial Referee is taught to apply age appropriate FINA rules based on the growth and development principles, and the purpose of competition, of the stage of development of LTAD. Professional Development is encouraged at this level, and referees will be required to maintain their certification every 2 years by remaining active.
The National Referee course, also refereed to as the Water Polo Canada Referee School, is the top level training and professional development program Water Polo Canada offers its officials. People entering this course must have water polo experience as a player, coach, and Provincial Referee, or are maintaining their National Referee certification. Referees are expected to already possess knowledge of the advanced and specific rules of water polo. The National Referee will be officiating a wide variety of experienced athletes and coaches at the National level. The National Referee course involves training in the advanced and specific rules of water polo. The National Referee is taught to apply age appropriate FINA rules based on the growth and development principles, and the purpose of competition, of the stage of development of LTAD. Professional development is encouraged at this level, and referees will be required to maintain their certification every 2 years by remaining active. Referees must attend the Water Polo Canada Referee School at least once every 4 years as professional development.
