two ice hockey referees skating in an arena while the stadium is filled with spectators in the background

Sports officials and referees

(NOC 53202)
Annual Earnings
Not available
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
College Diploma or Apprenticeship, less than 2 years
Job Openings
(2024-2034)
50

Career Overview

Sports officials and referees:

  • Make sure rules and regulations governing sporting events, athletic games and sports competitions are followed
  • Work for national, provincial and local sporting commissions, organizations and leagues

 

Job Titles

Athletics judge
Clerk of the course - racetrack
Figure skating judge
Goal judge
Harness racing starter
Racetrack timer
Referee
Sports linesman/woman
Sports official
Umpire

Duties

Sports officials and referees perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Carry out official duties at sporting events or athletic competitions to maintain standards of play and to make sure that game rules and safety regulations are followed
  • Record lapsed time and keep scores during events or competitions
  • Judge the performance of competitors, award points, impose penalties for infractions and determine results
  • Collect scores and other athletic records
  • Create and maintain rapport with coaches, players and organizing committees
  • Confirm achievements, training and general background of athletes or animals engaged in sports or related special events, and respond to written protests

 

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

Not available

Provincial Hourly Rate

HighNot available
MedianNot available
LowNot available
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2024 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

150

% Employed Full Time

13%
Source: 2021 Census

Key aspects of the work in this occupation:

  • Work takes place indoors and outdoors in various sports and recreational settings
  • Workers may be exposed to various types of weather conditions

 

Career Pathways

Career path information is currently not available.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Enterprising
Enterprising
Realistic
Realistic

Education, Training and Skills

  • Sports officials require certification by and registration with a sport governing body or commission
  • Sports referees require completion of an officiating program offered by a sport governing body

Education programs in B.C.

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Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

65%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

59%
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

56%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

150
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 0 0.0%
Kootenay 0 0.0%
Mainland/Southwest 125 83.3%
North Coast and Nechako 0 0.0%
Northeast 0 0.0%
Thompson-Okanagan 10 6.7%
Vancouver Island/Coast 15 10.0%
Source: 2021 Census

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)

50
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)

Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo Not available Not available
Kootenay Not available Not available
Mainland/Southwest 50 1.7%
North Coast and Nechako Not available Not available
Northeast Not available Not available
Thompson-Okanagan Not available Not available
Vancouver Island/Coast Not available Not available
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2024-2034)
Information, Culture and Recreation20
Transportation and Warehousing10
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Resources

Resource information is currently not available.