Ontario Lacrosse Referees Association

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The Ontario Lacrosse Referees' Association (OLRA) is the governing body of officiating for all forms of Lacrosse in the province of Ontario. The constitution of the OLRA was prepared in 1973 and most recently revised in 2008. The OLRA seeks to promote uniform interpretation and administration of the rules of lacrosse while assisting in referee development programs and encouraging camaraderie among referees of the sport. Please visit Ontario Lacrosse Officials for more details.

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The OLRA is an association comprised of Board Members. In Men's Box Lacrosse Board Members are referees who have been selected by the OLRA to officiate box lacrosse games above the Minor Level. More specifically these are the Referees who have been chosen to officiate at the Junior B, Junior A, Senior B and Major, and Jr. C divisions. Members of the Board also include selected senior members from the ranks of Men's Field Lacrosse. Every member of the Board exemplifies a significant knowledge of lacrosse and an ability that is both respected and admired by their peers. All board members who have paid their board dues and are in good standing with the OLRA have full voting privileges on matters pertinent to the OLRA.

Members of the OLRA are expected to assist in supervising minor referees throughout the lacrosse season to encourage referee development amongst newer officials. Often, members will act as Referee-In-Chief or Assistant-Referee-In-Chief for Ontario Provincial or Canadian National Championships. Further to this, Board Members Frank Lawrence, Terry King and Dale Sett (along with Kevin MacPherson) have established the Qualifier Program for extensive Men's Box Lacrosse Referee development. The Qualifier Program is a 3 - 5 year practical training program for minor referees who are on the path toward joining the OLRA.

The Association is governed by an Executive which is established to make any regulations dealing with the activities of the Association and its members. It is also the duty of the Executive to appoint committees to deal with special incidents regarding officiating in Ontario. Currently, the Executive of the OLRA is Mark Gardonio, Brent McCauley, Tom Moxam, Jason Wiswell, Frank Lawrence, Matt Robinson, Wayne Paddick, Dieter Kirner (Minor Box), Sue Powless (Women's Box), Steven Taylor (Women's Field), and Kevin Caplice (Men's Field).