Officiating the 2025 National Military Soccer Championships
December 11, 2025 - Defence Stories
By: Captain Katrina Vandervoort (RCAF)
Estimated read time – 1:45
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2023 Soccer Nationals: Capt Katrina Vandervoort, Ms. Tammy McCaugherty, MWO Angel MacEachern, WO Laura Brkic.
The National Military Soccer Championships are a key event in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) sports calendar, bringing together top athletes from across the country to compete at the highest level of national military soccer. While the focus is often on the players and teams, the success of the tournament also depends heavily on the professionalism and dedication of the referees who ensure the game is played fairly and safely.
For the referees, being appointed to attend the championships is more than just a duty. It is an opportunity to develop and apply leadership skills, foster friendships and connections across the CAF, and engage in physical activity. Being appointed to officiate at this level is a recognition of both technical proficiency and the leadership qualities that define military service. In a fast-paced, demanding environment, referees are called upon to make confident decisions under pressure, communicate clearly, and manage dynamic situations with authority and composure. These are the same skills that are critical in operational settings, making the tournament a valuable arena for leadership and effective communication development.
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2025 Soccer Nationals: WO Laura Brkic, Capt Katrina Vandervoort, WO Tom Desgroseilliers, MWO Angel MacEachern
This high standard of officiating is made possible through strong guidance and mentorship within the CAF officials’ program. referee program. At the forefront of that effort are the Regional Referees in Chief of each region: WO Laura Brkic (CanWest), WO Tom Desgroseilliers (Ontario), Maj Sammy Mizuno (Quebec), and MWO Angel MacEachern (Atlantic), who play a vital role in implementing policy, fostering the development of local officials, and communicating the strategic vision of the program.
The Chief Soccer Official, LCol Christian Palavicino, works with the Regional Referee in Chiefs to enhance the program and encourages its growth among CAF sports leadership. Together, they have cultivated a referee community that champions inclusivity, safety, and respect, ensuring that all officials, regardless of gender, race, or background, feel supported and valued. This was evident during the 2023 gold medal final, which was refereed by an all-female referee crew for the first time in CAF soccer history. In 2025, the gold medal match final was also refereed by an all-female on field referee crew. These achievements reflect the program’s ongoing dedication to equitable progress and opportunity for all members.
The CAF referee team’s contributions, along with the dedication of every official, helped set the tone for a tournament that reflected the very best of CAF sport. The 2025 National Military Soccer Championships were a clear demonstration of what can be achieved through teamwork, commitment, and collaboration.