Referee of the Month: Phil Salemi
The CDSRA Referee of the Month features referees of different ages, levels, and backgrounds to reflect the diversity in our referee community and our association. Our November 2025 Referee of the Month is Phil Salemi.
Questions & Answers:
Q: Current Referee Level & Highest level attained:
A: Alberta Soccer Regional with a Calgary rating of 20. I'd love to get Provincial but there’s that darn fitness test!!
Q: When did you begin, and what motivated you to start refereeing?
A: I became a referee in 2019. At the time, I was a parent volunteer AR for my son’s soccer team. The referee told me that I was doing really well and I should take the course to become an actual referee. I thought that would be a great way to keep fit. Way better than having to pay for a gym membership and run on a treadmill. I remember in one of my first RED classes I was told by Sebastian Richter that “You don’t referee to become fit, you become fit to be a referee!” Wake up call! Little did I know that I would enjoy it so much that it became an absolute passion/obsession! I hope to become an instructor and an assessor in the years to come.
Phil officiating his first ACAC match in the middle
Q: What has been your most enjoyable game/memory of your referee career?
A: There have been many games and memories that I have enjoyed along the way. My first Tier 1 championship was exciting. I was still pretty new and a little star struck as I was rooming with Michael Mund. Being part of the crew for University of Calgary vs. Mount Royal University in the "Crowchild Classic" was amazing and probably the most intense match I’ve been a part of. The announcer introduced them as “Mount Royal College” and the tone was set. Then, there was that League 1 match where I was the 4th official and the middle got injured so, in a heartbeat, I was thrust into the highest level match I had ever done. Coincidentally that was one day after a CARD session where the theme was “Be Ready For ANYTHING”! Outside of Alberta, I really enjoyed my experiences with Referee Abroad. I was thrilled to officiate tournaments in Mexico, Spain and Portugal. I look forward to doing more international tournaments in the years to come and would encourage others to do the same.
Phil meeting Daniele Orsato at IBERCUP.
Q: What do you love most about refereeing?
A: Being part of such a great community of referees and participants. There is nothing like walking into a facility and shaking hands, waving and chatting with fellow referees, coaches, players and parents that you get to know over the years. Some referees have become close personal friends. We get together after games and on special occasions. I can honestly say that some of my best friends are referees. “Who’s car are we taking?” IYKYK
Phil with some of his referee friends.
Q: When did you first become a CDSRA member and what encouraged you to join?
A: In one of my first matches I was an AR for Maria Marshall. She gave me a CDSRA bookmark and I joined. Now, I always have them on hand to give out to new referees.
Q: What advice would you give to somebody just starting out refereeing?
A: Always be learning, give it your best and HAVE FUN! Each RED, IRT and CARD course you are a part of builds knowledge and confidence. Even with all the training, everyone makes mistakes. Learn from them. As Ted Lasso says “Be a Gold Fish"
Q: What do you do outside of refereeing and what are some of your interests?
A: Professionally, I have worked in several industries at senior management level. Personally, I LOVE getting out on the motorcycle. I often bring it to matches and I always get the best parking spots right in front. I also enjoy building things and doing audio/video production. I’m Italian so cooking and making homemade wine, right from the grape, is in my DNA.