The OVA would like to congratulate Nikolas Zboralski, Tudor Barbulescu, Michael Zhang, Osama Elasmar, Amin Torabi and Amanda Lorbergs on achieving their Level 3 - Regional Referee promotion.

The Regional Upgrade Program lasts two-years and are evaluated at five events such as the OVA 17U/18U Grand Prix, Ontario Championships and OCAA and OUA tournaments. Once certified as a Level 3 referee, they can be trained to become a clinician for Level 1 and 2 and can also be nominated for the Regional Referee Chair position on the Referee’s Committee. While referees can only be the R2 for OUA playoff matches, they have no other restrictions for domestic matches.  The Level 3 - Regional Referee is recognized as a "senior referee" and as such is allowed and expected to officiate at all competition levels in Ontario including Ontario Championships, High Performance Centres, Ontario Summer Games, and College and University matches.

Level 3 referees can also be area supervisors, assignors and head officials at Ontario Championships.

A referee aspiring to be a Regional Referee must have been active as a Provincial Referee for at least two years and must be recommended by the Regional Referees' Chair for entry into the Regional Upgrade Program.

The next upgrade after Level 3 is Level 4 (National level status).

A referee seeking National Level status must have been active as a Regional Referee for at least two years and must be recommended by the Referees Committee for entry into the National Upgrade Program. The National Level Referee has the opportunity and is expected to officiate at all competition levels in Ontario: Ontario Championships, High Performance Centres, Ontario Summer Games, Canada Games, and College and University matches. They may also be invited to officiate outside the province at the highest levels of volleyball competition.