She CAN Ref
Celebrating Women in Refereeing
November 7th, 2026
8:30am-3:30pm
Saint Mary’s University, Halifax
She CAN Ref is a day of celebration and learning for Women in Refereeing in Nova Scotia. Female referees from all over Atlantic Canada will come together to network and learn on Saturday, November 7th, including classroom sessions with guest speakers, USports match observation (all-female referee team), followed by a debrief post-match.
Please see the boxes below for detailed information on this event as it becomes available.
Keynote Speaker: Samara Sevor, International Referee
– Samara is joining us from Hamilton, Ontario and will be our Keynote speaker, as well as 1st referee for the USports match.
– International volleyball referee with 20+ years of officiating experience, beginning in 2005 following a playing career at the OUA level.
– International officiating experience includes FIVB World Championships, VNL, NORCECA and League One Volleyball (LOVB), with gold medal assignments at major international, national and university competitions.
– A Volleyball Canada Certified Referee Clinician, Coach and Supervisor with extensive experience in referee education, evaluation, leadership and administration.
– Committed to developing officials, sharing knowledge, and creating opportunities for women to grow and advance within volleyball officiating.
To view Samara’s full impressive CV, please go HERE.
If you have any questions, please contact VNS Technical Director, Megan Conroy at vnsmegan@sportnovascotia.ca.
Schedule
8:30-9:00am – Tea/Coffee, networking
9:00-9:45am – Keynote w/Samara Sevor
9:45-10:15am – Q & A w/Samara Sevor
10:15-10:30am – Sneak Peek into USports Match Preparation w/Samara Sevor
10:30-10:45am – Break
10:45am-11:45am – Building a Positive Referee-Coach Relationship
11:45am-12:30pm – Lunch (provided)
12:30pm-1:00pm – Move to SMU gym for SMU vs. Memorial women’s match
~3:00pm (pending match completion time) – Observe match debrief with referee team + Q & A on match observations
~3:30pm – End of Day
Registration Information
Cost: $50 general // $30 students (email vnsmegan@sportnovascotia.ca for student discount code)
* Note:
– Referees who live more than 100km from SMU, and are residents of NS, are eligible for a $20 rural discount, please contact TD Megan at vnsvmegan@sportnovascotia.ca to verify your address and get the CODE.
– Want to sponsor a registration for another referee? Please contact TD Megan at vnsvmegan@sportnovascotia.ca to arrange
Registration Includes:
– Tea/Coffee
– Registration for the Event
– Lunch (please outline any dietary needs/allergies on your registration form)
– Admission to the SMU/Memorial Match
Registration Opens: October 16th, 12:00pm
Registration Deadline: November 3rd, 12:00pm
Registration Link: Register HERE
Venue Information
Saint Mary’s University, Homburg Centre, 920 Tower Rd, Halifax, NS – Room HC 211
Parking:
- Primary parking will be in the parking lot off Inglis Street, next to the Dauphinee Centre Arena, near the SMU Engineering building.
- Limited on-street parking available in front of the Homburg Centre, please be aware of no-parking zones.
- Parking is available on some side streets as well, but again please be aware of no-parking zones and private driveways.
Accessing the event room:
- Enter the Homburg Centre main entrance, let the front desk know you’re there for She CAN Ref, they will let you through the gates to go up the stairs in the main lobby, turn left and walk toward the gym and you’ll see signage for the classroom on the right.