Club Referees
The majority of our Club Referees are former or current players with North Toronto Soccer, and refereeing is something they choose to do out of love for the game, or as a summer job. Some have a wealth of experience, others are newer to the world of officiating. Whatever your experience or reason for officiating might be, we would be more than happy to discuss the opportunity to officiate at North Toronto Soccer with you.
Ben Rayner, Head Referee
Contact – referees@northtorontosoccer.com
Photo(s):
Education:
Bachelors of Arts Honours with High Distinction, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Concentration in Psychology, Minor in History (Carleton University, 2017-2021)
Qualifications:
District Referee – 2019 to present
C-License (Trained) – 2023
Club Background:
I joined the club in spring 2005 as a recreation player at the age of 5. Playing recreationally with the Club each spring until aging out of the program in 2017, I’ve developed a lifelong passion for the game.
Returning to the Club in 2019 as a certified District Referee, I began as a Game Leader coaching U4 to U12 aged players. Although I wasn’t refereeing, I gained valuable experience using my voice to enforce the Laws of the Game, as well as practicing my signaling skills. In September 2021, I finally stepped onto the field as a referee.
With the immense mentorship of Nic Hurtado, whose management style and coaching skills go unrivaled, and Adrian Tanjala’s refereeing ability and experience being a class above, I’m now North Toronto Soccer’s Head Referee.
Notable Matches:
- April 2023 Mens U19 League 1 Reserve Exhibition Match, Referee – NT Nitros vs Alliance FC
- July 2023 Girls U17 Talented Pathway/High Performance Exhibition Match, Referee – NT Nitros OPDL vs Soccer Nova Scotia Provincial Team
- July 2023 Girls U15 Talented Pathway/High Performance Exhibition Match, Assistant Referee – NT Nitros OPDL vs Soccer Nova Scotia Provincial Team
- August 2023 Boys U13 Ontario Cup, Assistant Referee – East York vs Brampton Elite
- June 2024 Girls U13 Regional/Provincial Exhibition Match, Assistant Referee – NT Nitros iModel vs Newfoundland Provincial Soccer Team
- July 2024 Boys U15 Regional/Provincial Exhibition Match, Referee – NT Nitros iModel vs Newfoundland Provincial Soccer Team
- July 2024 Men’s Ontario Cup Quarterfinal, Assistant Referee – Toronto Irish FC vs Jagiellonia
Adrian Tanjala, Club Referee Mentor
Contact: adrian.c.tanjala@gmail.com
Photos:
Education:
Doctor of Medicine (MD), Queen’s University, 2023-present
Honours Bachelor of Science, Physiology, University of Toronto, 2019-2023
Qualifications:
District Referee: 2017-present
Ontario Soccer District Instructor: 2022-present
Ontario Soccer SCORE Mentor: 2023-present
Ontario Soccer District Assessor: 2024-present
Club Background:
I joined the club as an ‘outsider’ in early 2022 (having not spent my whole life at the club like some others), joining as their first Head Referee since 2019 and the COVID pandemic.
I stepped into the role to establish a refreshed referee program centred around radical respectfulness, safe sport, and sustainability. I developed much of the current referee framework in collaboration with Nic Hurtado, Taylor Fleming, and of course our current Head Referee, Ben. Additionally, I acted as a representative for NT, the TSA, and Ontario Soccer as an instructor at countless referee education sessions.
I left my previous role as Head Referee to pursue medicine in Kingston, but continue to act as a mentor for Club Referees at all levels, and provide advice to the referee program when requested.
Notable Matches:
- 2024 Canada Soccer U15 National Championship Appointee
- 2024 OCAA Women’s Championship – Humber vs Redeemer
- 2024 OUA Women’s Quarterfinal – Queen’s vs Carleton
- 2024 League 1 U20 Men’s Semifinal – Vaughan vs North Mississauga
- 2022 TSA Soccer in the City U18 Boys Final
- 2019 YRSA McGarrigle Cup U13 Boys Final
Kate Rayner, Senior Club Referee
Photos:
Education:
Honours Bachelors of Arts with High Distinction, Specialization in Environmental Geography and Minor in Practical French, University of Toronto, 2020-2024
Qualifications:
District Referee, 2017-present
OSA Game Leader, 2019-present
Respect in Sport
Club Background:
I joined the club in 2007 at age 5 as a house league recreational player, continuing in the league until 2019 before my final year was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic. I always enjoyed North Toronto’s house league soccer, playing with or against friends, making new ones, and staying fit all while having fun.
In 2017, my best friend, with whom I played house league with at NTSC, saw that the club was hiring referees. As we were in our first year of high school and looking for our first job experience, joining the club we already felt so comfortable with seemed like a no brainer. We quickly signed up to earn our referee certifications and interviewed for the position.
I began refereeing U7 and U8 boys and girls house league matches that spring on most days of the week after school, and on weekends. Under the supervision of our Head Referees, I gained experience in enforcing the Laws of the Game, communicating with players, coaches, and parents, as well as my movement on the field to track the play.
Overtime, as my Head Referees saw fit, I began refereeing older age groups. Now, as a Senior Club Referee, I officiate the U14-18 house league divisions. Furthermore, as a more experienced match official, I am grateful to NTSC for giving me the opportunity to referee competitive matches.
I’m very grateful to my previous head referees who oversaw my development, and to give back I frequently return to the younger divisions to supervise and offer mentorship to younger referees with the club.
Notable Matches:
- June 2024 Girls U13 Regional/Provincial Exhibition Match, Referee – NT Nitros iModel vs Newfoundland Provincial Soccer Team
- July 2024 Boys U14 Regional/Provincial Exhibition Match, Assistant Referee – NT Nitros iModel vs Newfoundland Provincial Soccer Team