Aug 23, 2005
NR118

HOCKEY CANADA LAUNCHES APPROVED OFFICIATING UNIFORMS

OTTAWA, ON – Hockey Canada has undertaken the development of an approved uniform for all officials involved with its Officiating program.  The uniform consists of referee and linesman jerseys, pants, and protective equipment.

Over the past several seasons, minor hockey officials have found it increasing difficult to find sources of uniforms that conform to Hockey Canada standards which outlines that all officiating jerseys are to be without the mesh-underarm version that is prevalent in the market place.

In conjunction with Force Sports Technologies Inc. - a London, Ontario based Canadian company - Hockey Canada has standardized the uniforms for on-ice officials.  Force Sports has entered into a long-term licensing and vendor relationship to supply and distribute the officiating gear via e-commerce, mail-order and at select retailers across Canada.

“We are very pleased to associate Hockey Canada’s highly regarded officiating program with a Canadian company that has demonstrated innovative product development, quality construction and a reputation within the industry as a extremely reliable merchandiser”, said Scott Smith, Senior Vice-president, Operations.  “Our objective is to support all officials, at all levels of Canada’s national winter sport, with a high-quality program with a variety of options and ease of access.”

“With our association with Force Sports, all officials will now be able to find an approved uniform to participate within Hockey Canada’s programs”, added Dr. Maurice Roy, Hockey Canada’s Referee-in-Chief.  “We look forward to working with each of Hockey Canada’s Branch Associations and their Referees-in-Chief to enhance the experience of each of Canada’s approximate 33,000 officials who work in excess of 1,500,000 games each season.”

Force Sports has worked extensively to establish a distribution network for their Hockey Canada approved officiating products. Authorized dealers have been selected to support local markets, while online sales will be managed by www.teamsales.ca.

“We are looking forward to working with Hockey Canada and referee’s across Canada. Force will continue to develop new and innovative products to support the officiating market”, added Dave Martin, President of Force Sports.

Hockey Canada is the national sports governing body for hockey in Canada.  In conjunction with its 13 member Branch Associations, the Canadian Hockey League and Canadian Inter-University Sport, Hockey Canada oversees the management of programs from entry-level to high-performance competitions including world championships and Olympic Games.

» Hockey Canada Officiating Site