May 14 2025
2025 May Newsletter
Greetings From the OFOA Executive,
I hope this email finds everyone well and ready for the football season. A special welcome to new members who recently completed their level 1 theory requirements to become officials.
This newsletter provides the following updates and important OSFL information as we head into the spring/summer football season.
- AGM
- New OFOA Executive
- 2025 National Tournaments
- Registration
- CFOA Exam and Rowan's Law
- 50/50 Fundraiser
- Important Resources and Documentation
AGM
Thank you to all those who attended the Annual General Meeting in March. The minutes of that meeting have been sent to association Presidents.
NEW OFOA EXECUTIVE
Here is the OFOA Executive for 2025. Please reach out to any member for resources, to express concerns / questions, or to offer feedback.
| President | Don Carmichael | presidentofoa@gmail.com |
| Vice President | Murray Drinkwalter | vpofoa@gmail.com |
| Secretary | Ed Asare-Quansah | secretaryofoa23@gmail.com |
| Treasurer | Jay Charron | treasurerofoa2021@gmail.com |
| Registrar | Nicky Windrem | registrarofoa@gmail.com |
| Northern Regional Director | Jim Corelli | northerndirectorofoa@gmail.com |
| Eastern Regional Director | Craig Pearce | easterndirector23@gmail.com |
| Western Regional Director | Dave Frank | westerndirectorofoa@gmail.com |
| Central Regional Director | Brian Schouten | centraldirectorofoa@gmail.com |
2025 NATIONAL TOURNAMENTS
The Canadian Football Officials Association recently announced the officials for this summer’s national tournaments. Congratulations to the following officials on their appointments!
U18 Women’s Nationals (Calgary, AB)
Cathy Williams (London FOA), Nicky Windrem (Durham-York FOA)
U16 Eastern Challenge (Antigonish, NS)
Matt Papineau (Eastern Ontario Tackle FOA), Adam Webber (Hamilton FOA)
U18 Football Canada Cup (Antigonish, NS)
Ed Asare-Quansah (Lakeshore FOA), Callum McLeod (Eastern Ontario Tackle FOA), Jan-Michael Dorsey (Brantford FOA)
REGISTRATION
All officials should be registered both locally and with the provincial registrar. New officials are not insured until this occurs. Please update any changes to local executives with the OFOA. Current, accurate information permits ease with insurance coverage, E-transfers, assignments/appointments, and general communication.
CFOA EXAM AND ROWAN'S LAW
The CFOA Exam will be released June 1st. As in past years, it will be an on-line test. Please use the exam as a learning tool, an assessment of your current knowledge, and as a demonstration of annual training. Additionally, everyone is reminded to review materials related to Rowan’s Law and concussions.
From an insurance and liability perspective, the completion of these items is vital.
50/50 FUNDRAISER
Football Ontario will be running the Mega 50/50 Gridiron Gold Raffle again this year. Last year’s winner took home over $107,000 dollars. The OFOA receives a portion of the Raffle profits based upon ticket sales by our members. This money subsidizes officials’ transportation to provincial events. Please support this fundraiser. Encourage family and friends to purchase tickets. Enter using the Football Ontario website www.footballontario.net
IMPORTANT RESOURCES AND DOCUMENTATION
As the OSFL season approaches, please familiarize yourself with several important documents. These can be found on the OFOA website under the more/resources tab at www.ofoa.ca You may wish to download them on your phone.
In our continuing efforts to address and improve the behavioural environment of the game, a pre-game guide has been provided for Referees. It is recommended that all Referees use this when conferencing with coaches before the game. Its consistent use reinforces important themes and contributes to a smooth-running game.
Should a crew encounter a disqualification, please ensure that complete details are written on the game sheet and a summary is sent to your local RIC and Trevor Semple at tsemple@uwo.ca within 24 hours.
Please record penalty data (UR, OC penalties) on the scoresheet for all age groups. You may also wish to send this to Trevor by email. The collection of penalty data is invaluable when dealing with disciplinary matters.
Have a great summer football season!
Regards,
Don Carmichael
President, Ontario Football Officials Association