[canuckrefguy]

....at least where I'm from....

Provincial championship spots are assigned depending on (1) where the tournament is being held, as they move around every year, (2) local association and (3) Provincial criteria.

If a tourney's being held in a particular association's area, they are guaranteed at least 2-3 assignments to that event. The other assc's within reasonable distance of that area will get the rest. For example, at the 4A Boys tournament, there are 12 officials; four from the area where the tournament's being held, and eight from the rest of the province. The bigger cities tend to get relatively more assignments, of course, but even if you're from the middle of nowhere - if you're good, you'll go eventually.

Locally, an association's evaluation committee will appoint people, presumably on merit, potential, etc, and send the list onto the provincial association, who will check exam scores and other criteria before signing off on it.

I think some provinces do it centrally - ie. the provincial association takes in names from around the province and then makes the assignments. I know B.C. does that.

I was assigned to a tournament this year, and was fortunate enough to do the championship game.

It still surprises me a bit that you allow coaches input into who gets to do state tournaments....and surprises me still that it's always been like that, and that it seems to actually work out alright. Here, certainly coaches can give input - and respected coaches' opinions are taken seriously - but they have zero impact on who goes and who doesn't.