Judge Positions & Qualifications

It is very important that all registrants review the information below PRIOR to registering. These will be the only training dates for the 2025/26 season.

All officials must meet the following requirements prior to the start of their technical training course as per the Pathways for Officials.

- Creation of officials profile in Sportlomo (Cheer Canada and ACA membership purchase will be required but is not yet open for the 2025/26 season)

- 18+ years of age

- Resident of Alberta

- At least 2 years experience as a cheer athlete or coach at a recognized program

- Complete NCCP Safe Sport Training (Additional information will be supplied upon registration)

- Submit a current (within 2 years) Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector (Additional information will be supplied upon registration). Request a CRC through ACA for $25 + GST HERE

Program Philosophy

  • Evaluate teams fairly with the goal of education.

  • Always keep the safety of the athletes in mind.

  • Judge/tabulate with integrity, openness and enthusiasm.

  • Create an atmosphere of respect for all coaches, judging team members, athletes and parents.

Judge Qualifications

  • Level 2 Officials

    Level 2 officials must complete all action items as stated in the Pathways for Officials document. They are permitted to register for one to a maximum of two specialty areas. A specialty area includes Building, Tumbling, Overall/Cheer or Deductions/Score Check. 

    Building, Tumbling and Overall/Cheer categories require registration in a technical course and a separate video practice session. Deduction/Score Check training is a four hour technical course that includes video practice. 

    Multiple dates for the mandatory live practice opportunity will be provided in the future however they traditionally occur on a weekend in late November to the end of January.

    Cost & Fees

    • One specialty area - (Building, Tumbling, Overall/Cheer or Deductions/Score Check) $55

    • Two specialty areas - (Building, Tumbling, Overall/Cheer or Deductions/Score Check) $85

    • Membership Fees

    • Criminal Record Check

    *Training fees include technical course, video training, and exam fee(s). A $15 late fee will be added to all registration fees starting September 1st.

    Upon registration, officials will receive an email within 72 hours with additional instructions. 

    Monies are non-refundable. 

    If you have any questions, please contact judge@albertacheerleading.ca prior to registering.

  • Level 3 officials must complete all action items as stated in the Pathways for Officials document.

    Courses include technical course, video training and exam fee(s).

    The addition of new specialty areas is permissible. Building, Tumbling and Overall/Cheer categories require registration in a Level 2 technical course and video practice session. Deduction/Score Check training is a four hour technical course that includes video practice. 

    Cost & Fees

    • One Specialty Area (Building, Tumbling, Overall/Cheer or Deductions/Score Check) $50

      One Specialty Area (Building, Tumbling, or Overall/Cheer) & Deductions/Score Check $45

      Two Specialty Areas (Building, Tumbling, and/or Overall/Cheer) $40

      Two Specialty Areas (Building, Tumbling, and/or Overall/Cheer) & Deductions/Score Check $45

      Three Specialty Areas (Building, Tumbling, and Overall/Cheer) $45

      Three Specialty Areas (Building, Tumbling, and Overall/Cheer) & Deductions/Score Check $50

    • Membership Fees

    • Criminal Record Check

    *Training fees include technical course, video training and exam fee(s). A $15 late fee will be added to all registration fees starting September 1st.

    Upon registration, officials will receive an email within 72 hours with additional instructions. 

    Monies are non-refundable. 

    If you have any questions, please contact judge@albertacheerleading.ca prior to registering.

  • Only those who served as a Supervisory Judge for the 2024/25 season or who have been invited by the ACA are permitted to register. 

    Individuals who were Supervisory Judges for the 2024/25 season and no longer wish to fulfill the role may register as a Level 3 official.

    Level 4 officials must complete all action items as stated in the Pathways for Officials document. They are required to register in a Level 3 course for any specialty areas in which they do not have a minimum of 30 hours of on-stand experience. Courses include technical information and video training. 

    If it is an official's first year in the Supervisory Role, then they must complete an in-person shadow judging opportunity prior to accepting a Supervisory role for the upcoming season.

    A mandatory Supervisory Training session will be held in late October.

    Cost & Fees 

    • $50

    • Membership Fees

    • Criminal Record Check

    *Training fees include all Level 3 training sessions, Level 4 training and exam fees. A $15 late fee will be added to all registration fees starting September 1st.

    Upon registration, officials will receive an email within 72 hours with additional instructions. 

    Monies are non-refundable. 

    If you have any questions, please contact judge@albertacheerleading.ca prior to registering.

Judge Positions

ACA judges must be prepared to evaluate teams in all divisions and levels at ACA-sanctioned competitions. Consideration is given to knowledge and experience levels when assigning judges to the various positions. Judging positions include:

Panel Judge

Responsibilities:

  • Judging Building, Tumbling or Overall and Cheer elements of routines.

Legality Judge

Responsibilities:

  • Ensures rules are followed.

Deduction Judge

Responsibilities:

  • Ensures time requirements are met.

  • Assesses deductions for bobbles, falls and routine violations.

Score Check Judge

Responsibilities:

  • Ensure appeals are received before the expiration time.

  • Ensure documentation outlining the appeal is properly completed.

  • Review appeals and videos and consult with panel, safety and supervisory judges.

  • Determine if an appeal is accepted or denied and advise coaches of the decision.

Supervisory Judge

Responsibilities:

  • Liaise with the EP regarding judge-related requirements.

  • Oversee judges in all positions and the tabulation team.

  • Consult with judges throughout the event to ensure scores and comments are appropriate.

  • Ensure changes are made when necessary.

  • Resolve issues and concerns from judges or at score check.

  • Liaise with ACA staff.

Tabulator

Responsibilities:

Compiling scoring data and inputting it into the system for results and rankings.


Training Sessions

Registration for each course closes FIVE DAYS prior to the course.

For Courses that have both Technical and Video Dates-registration closes one week prior to the TECHNICAL date.

Level 4 -Supervisory and Tabulation registration closes October 19, 2025 and the actual training date is TBD.

Registration fees will increase by $15 starting September 1st.

 

Score Sheet Education Courses for Coaches

Program Directors, Gym Owners and Teacher Advisors may request score sheet education sessions for their coaches. These one hour sessions may be held in-person or virtually on a date and time of their choosing (based on facilitator availability). Programs requesting the session and all individuals participating must be ACA and Cheer Canada members in good standing. All coaches must be fully certified. The session will highlight the same information that is presented during the virtual Scoring Seminar sessions that are offered to all ACA members. Please complete the form to express an interest. 

NOTE: This application is not intended for individual coaches. They may register for the Scoring Seminars that are offered annually to all ACA members. Don't see an available date? Contact us: judge@albertacheerleading.ca 

NOTE: This is a request only. An ACA employee will be in touch!