Football referees gather for training

The FIFA Referee Assistance Programme (RAP) is currently running a follow up referee course for Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA) referees. The course started on Monday and will finish on Friday.

Twenty-three referees from around Rarotonga are taking the course at the CIFA Academy led by the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) referee development officer Massimo Raveino. Raveino’s team also includes FIFA referee instructor Neil Poloso and FIFA fitness instructor Kader Touati who are assisted by a team of four local instructors.

Over the week-long intensive practical and theoretical sessions the participants will undergo training on the laws of the game and its interpretations.

The training will also cover practical sessions where the referees test their classroom knowledge in simulated match conditions at the CIFA Academy football field.

This year’s course is attended by several new enthusiastic youth who are keen to take on the challenge of refereeing while the remaining participants are those who are still interested in this role. ”I believe that most of the referees have improved throughout the last two years. Learning is one thing, however if you are not committed you will never improve,“ says CIFA president Lee Harmon.

He went on to say that he is grateful to the RAP team for accepting the request from CIFA to organise this follow up referee’s course for the local participants.

Raveino outlined the main objectives of the course in his opening remarks, the various topics that referees are urged to consider and take on during the week.

He said each participant needs to work as a team to improve the level of refereeing and football in the Cook Islands.

”Each referee acts as a ‘justice of the peace’ on the field for 22 players throughout the match,“ said Raveino.

”This is where their training comes into effect – all physical, technical and fitness competencies are challenged in the match.“

Raveino thanked CIFA for its work with the preparatios and execution of the course. He also spoke highly of two CIFA referees Tupou Patia and Terry Piri who were appointed to officiate at Oceania tournaments and the recent OFC Nations Cup in the Solomon Islands.

In his final note to the course participants, he urged them to support the development of football in the Cooks and to work together as a team.

”When you are required to officiate in your local competition you must go – team spirit is important.“