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A group of League1 Alberta match officials reflect on their journey from starting in the middle, to the 2025 season and present day.

While the focus during the 2025 season was on the players and clubs, and their results on the field, the League1 Alberta match officials were also developing their game, hitting milestones, and moving up the performance pathway.

Read from 2025 match officials Adam Benani, Daniel Billiat, Michelle Holmes, Amaya Myhovich, and Xerxes Ng as they reflect on the latest campaign and their journey to get there.

Getting started as a match official

Xerxes Ng: I started officiating during the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally, I was just motivated by my parents as a way to experience the game in a different manner while making some money. After taking a step back in my playing career, I was fortunate enough to be selected and appointed to provincial level games and slowly work my way up from there.

Michelle Holmes: I started refereeing about 15 years ago and, in 2017, my referee career took off when I was invited to my first national competition in Lethbridge. From there, I had the privilege of taking part in various competitions including League1 divisions.

Amaya Myhovich: I began my refereeing career at the grassroots level, starting out in Tier 4 matches in my hometown. From the beginning, I was determined to grow within the game, and through consistent effort, training, and feedback, I quickly advanced to higher levels of competition. As a woman of colour coming from a small town, I’ve faced unique challenges but also found great motivation in breaking barriers, and my journey so far has also been about becoming a role model for others who may not think they can go far in officiating.

Adam Benani: I became a regional referee in 2023, and a provincial referee in 2024. I have been officiating in League1 Alberta since it began and credit it for challenging me. I’ve attended several national tournaments since.

Daniel Billiat: I began my officiating journey in 2018, starting with grassroots and youth games, where I built a strong foundation in applying the Laws of the Game and managing matches. Over time, I progressed to higher-level competitions, and officiating in League1 provided valuable feedback and helped me grow in areas like player management and match control.

Highlights from the 2025 season

Daniel Billiat: My highlight from the 2025 season was being appointed to a League1 game for the first time. It was a rewarding experience because it tested my ability to manage high-pressure situations, maintain consistency in decision-making, and communicate effectively with players and my officiating team.

Adam Benani: My highlight of the season was being fourth official on the Men’s Division title-deciding match between Calgary Blizzard and St Albert Impact. The match was intense, great atmosphere and the players and coaches really challenged us.

Michelle Holmes: My highlight of the season was having the privilege of officiating in the League1 Canada Women’s Inter-Provincial Championship.

Amaya Myhovich: My highlight from the 2025 season would have to be my first match as an L1 official. The week prior, I had gotten into a car crash, and I was having a tough time mentally. Despite all this, I was able to officiate the game and receive an 8.6 on my assessment for that match. It taught me that despite struggles, if you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything.

Takeaways from the 2025 season

Amaya Myhovich: My biggest takeaway from the 2025 season is the importance of taking care of my body as part of being the best referee I can be. At Tier 1 Provincials, I experienced a groin injury that held me back from receiving the assignments I had been working towards. While this was disappointing, it gave me perspective on how crucial physical preparation and recovery are in refereeing, which has motivated me to work even harder on both my fitness and my overall development.

Xerxes Ng: My main takeaway for the season is to continue to improve myself by watching more games and analyzing my own performances during games – learning from more experienced referees and asking for comments and feedback from all the resources around me, whether if it’s a mentor, assessor or even teammates on my crew.

Daniel Billiat: My main takeaway from the 2025 season is the importance of proactive communication, both with players and with my officiating team. When I communicated clearly and early, it prevented issues from escalating and created more respect on the field. This season taught me that managing a game isn’t only about applying the Laws, but also about building trust and keeping control through presence and dialogue.