Football referees gear up for season

Cook Islands Football Association referees have received their Lotto Score Sportwear gear ahead of the 2012 Rarotonga Football season kicking off tomorrow.

The uniform sets were bought at a discounted price through the Cook Islands Football Association with all the match officials and assistant officials raving about their new look for the 2012 season.

A dedication ceremony took place at the CIFA academy of the full set of equipment which includes shirts, shorts, socks and flags.

Football referee coordinator and chairman Lai Gukisuva is grateful to CIFA and Lotto Score Sportwear for the new equipment and says it will be put to good use throughout the football season.

”I believe that our match officials will not only look smart but will put what they have been taught into practice once the season kicks off,“ says Gukisuva.

Following a referee course run by the FIFA Referee Assistance Program (RAP) team which took place in July, Gukisuva along with his committee are confident that all 23 participants in the course will execute their duties to the best of their capabilities.

”I am also excited to welcome the several new enthusiastic youths who have taken on the challenge of refereeing this year, no doubt they will have their sights set on refereeing for a long while to come.“

Preparations for the season took place following the course both on and off the field and a little boost from new the gear will certainly see the match officials look smart as they officiate games confidently.