Become an Official
​Officials play an essential role in the success of our sports ensuring fairness on and off the court.
Support is available for those interested in pursuing an officials pathway in all parasports.​
Whether you're new to officiating or experienced in able-bodied sport, you'll find a place in parasport and the parasport community!
Parasport NB can help you get started, explain the pathway, and connect you with the right contacts for practice and training. We can also help determine whether you meet the criteria to get involved in your chosen sport.
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We host dedicated official clinics upon request for wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, boccia, and goalball.
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Being a wheelchair basketball classifier has enriched my life in so many ways. I can remain involved in a sport that I love and get to see the game from a different perspective.
It has helped grow my communication skills, my confidence and my leadership skills.
Karen Ferguson,
Wheelchair Basketball Classifier
Technical Official
(Referee / Umpire / Judge)
Love being in the middle of the action? Technical officials enforce the rules, keep play fair, and ensure competitions run smoothly.
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In wheelchair basketball and rugby, referees are on the court managing fouls, contact, and game flow, with wheelchair-specific rules like contact and positioning.
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In boccia, referees oversee play, confirm ball positions, measure distances, and resolve disputes.
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In goalball, referees manage the game, including the silence players need to track the ball by sound, and signal penalties.
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No parasport background required, just a love of the game!​​
Classifier
Classifiers assess athletes' impairments to determine which sport class they compete in, ensuring fair competition for everyone.
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In wheelchair basketball and rugby, classifiers evaluate athletes' trunk function, arm control, and wheelchair mobility to assign a point value that determines their role on the court.
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In boccia, classifiers assess coordination and control to determine an athlete's class, from those with severe impairments to those with more function.
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In goalball, classifiers evaluate vision and visual field to ensure eligibility.
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Classifiers typically have a background in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, optometry, or sports medicine, and training is provided to learn the sport-specific classification systems. No previous parasport background required!​​
Table Officials
(Scorekeeper / Timekeeper / Announcer)
Table officials manage the scores, clocks, and announcements that keep competitions on track, ensuring accurate results and smooth game flow.
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In wheelchair basketball and rugby, table officials track points, fouls, timeouts, and the shot clock, keeping the game moving and coaches informed.
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In boccia, they record each end's score and track time limits for throws.
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In goalball, they manage the game clock, shot clock, and penalties, while the announcer relays calls and updates to players and spectators, with the added responsibility of signaling silence so players can track the ball by sound.
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No parasport background required!
Get Started
Parasport NB supports the development of all officials along their pathway.
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Officials clinics are hosted upon request.
To get started or for more information, contact Sally Chamberlain:
sally.chamberlain@parasportnb.ca​
(506) 238-4311
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