Umpire Development Program
The Row Ontario Umpire Development Program (UDP) was established in 2018 to provide financial support to Associate or licensed Umpires seeking meaningful learning opportunities to support their development.
For 2025-26, Row Ontario is outlining the following priorities (in order of priority) for allocation of funding:
- Support of L1 Assistant and L2 Associate Umpires, to get experience where there are not opportunities in their region;
- L3 Associate Chief Umpire development;
- Clinician honorariums to reduce seminar and clinic fees, and Clinician travel to regattas to conduct Umpire evaluations;
- General professional development, for Umpires to attend different types of events not available in their regions (indoor, beach sprint, coastal, etc).
As a general guideline, preference will be given to fund professional development opportunities at Ontario regattas. NWIRA and ERA events will also be considered for funding, for umpires in the North-West and Eastern Ontario regions.
Applications will be evaluated based on the priorities listed above, but all umpires residing in Ontario are welcome to apply. Applicants must be registered as an umpire for the 2025/26 season, be in good standing with Row Ontario, and be actively umpiring.
To apply, eligible umpires must complete the RowOn Umpire Development Program Application. Applications should be submitted by email to umpires@rowontario.ca.
Applications to the Row Ontario Umpire Development Program will be processed continuously throughout the year until near the end of the fiscal year on March 31, 2026. As funds are limited, interested umpires are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to take advantage of this opportunity for support.
Approved applicants will be asked to explain how the proposed professional development opportunity will benefit their development and, after the event, provide a report on their experience describing how it benefitted their umpire development, as well as any recommendations they may have for improving the program in the future. This report can be submitted via email using the RowOn Umpire Development Program Report form. The report will be shared with the RowOn Umpires Committee and Ontario-based RCA Clinicians.
Please note: UDP applications will be reviewed by the Row Ontario Umpires Committee and funds will be issued at Row Ontario’s discretion. Approved applications are not guaranteed to cover all expenses outlined in the application. Thus, applicants should be prepared to cover any additional expenses. Applicants should also be prepared to pay for all expenses up front; UDP funds will be reimbursed upon receipt of an expense claim form as per Row Ontario’s Expense Policy.
