FEMALE OFFICIALS MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

SPORT MANITOBA COACHING & OFFICIALS

Sport Manitoba Coaching & Officials has expanded its Female Mentorship Program to include officials this year. 

The Officials’ Female Mentorship Program is designed to support the development and retention of female officials across Manitoba by connecting passionate female officials with experienced mentors. Through mentorship, progessional development and networking opportunities, participants can build confidence, share knowledge and experiences, and develop lasting connections within Manitoba’s officiating community. 

The program is designed to be flexible, with mentor and mentee pairs deciding together what their relationship looks like and what areas they want to focus on. 

APPLICATIONS CLOSE NOVEMBER 1, 2026

APPLY HERE

MENTEES & MENTORS

  • Mentees must:
    • Self-Identify as female 
    • Be a registered official with a Provincial Sport Organization
    • Have a minimum of one year of officiating experience
  • Mentors must:
    • Self-identify as female 
    • Be a registered official with a Provincial Sport Organization 
    • Have a minimum of five years of officiating experience 
    • Be willing to share their knowledge and experience with a mentee.

The program is designed to meet participants where they are at.

  • Mentor and mentee pairs can decide together:
    • Whether they meet virtually or in person. 
    • Whether they connect once or twice a month 
    • What areas they would like to focus on
    • What pace and structure works best for their relationship

There is no single required format. The goal is to create a mentorship relationship that works for both participants. 

Professional development is shaped around what mentors and mentees actually want to get out of the experience rather than following a fixed curriculum.

Potential areas of focus may include: 

  • Handling gendered comments while officiating
  • Progressing through officiating ranks 
  • Speaking with confidence in high-pressure situations 
  • Sharing experiences and strategies from officiating 
  • Developing skills that support continued growth as an official

Participants will also have opportunities to learn from officials working in different sports and officiating environments. 

The program goes beyond one-on-one mentorship. 

Participants will take part in shared professional development sessions, providing opportunities to meet and learn from female officials from different sports and contexts. 

The program will wrap up with a networking event, giving participants an opportunity to connect socially and continue building relationships within Manitoba’s officiation community. 

FOR MENTEES

  • Connect with an experienced female official 
  • Ask questions and share experiences 
  • Build confidence in your role as an official 
  • Explore opportunities for progression
  • Connect with officials outside your own sport

FOR MENTORS 

  • Share your experience and knowledge
  • Support another female official’s development 
  • Connect with officials across Manitoba 
  • Contribute to the development of Manitoba’s officiating community 

QUESTIONS?

SPORT MANITOBA COACHING & OFFICIALS 
coaching@sportmanitoba.ca 

Sportmanitoba.ca