CDSRA Launches Ongoing Female Development Sessions

The CDSRA is proud to announce the successful launch of its first-ever female-only referee development sessions. This initiative builds on the momentum of the highly successful SheCAN Referee event held in September 2024 and is a direct product of the CDSRA’s Female Referee Development Committee.

Discussion groups during the development session

Led by Laurie Darvill, a CSA trained Provincial Instructor, and Shaelyn Holdaway, a member of Canada Soccer’s Elite Development Program, the inaugural session welcomed 14 enthusiastic referees. These referees participated in tailored training designed to foster confidence, technical skills, and career growth within a supportive and inclusive environment.

“This program is a result of great collaborative efforts between the CDSRA, RMOC, our partner leagues, and Alberta Soccer,” said CDSRA President Mazen Hassanin. “I would like to thank Laurie Darvill and Shaelyn Holdaway for their outstanding leadership and dedication to advancing female referee development. We are excited to see the long term results of this initiative as well as the various other initiatives the CDSRA’s female development committee are actively undertaking”

This program is a complement to the existing CDSRA pathway. For more information on the CDSRA’s programs and pathway please visit cdsra.org/programs