Under the tutelage of FIFA Referee Instructor Lim Kee Chong, 30 New Caledonian referees have been upskilling on the Laws of the Game and their application.
As well as practicing referees, participants also included local referee instructors, the people who help train referees across New Caledonia.
“FIFA assists instructors in each association, these latest courses teach the same methodology across the world,” Kee Chong said.
“If we criticise a referee, on their placement for example, someone needs to target those errors and then correct them in the training sessions. It’s the same things for teams that work on a certain tactical method.
“Refereeing evolves, and to remain a referee you need to know football and understand the game.”
Participants spent the week covering both practical and theoretical sessions as well as covering some elements of fitness with Kee Chong providing feedback.
“Feedback is essential,” the Mauritian said, and is practically instantaneous. We film the sessions, we watch them in class, and immediately we correct them.”
The course is particularly important due to the introduction of a number of new Laws of the Game – “94 in total this year”, said Kee Chong.
He said the constant evolution of football and the role of the referee in that is why constant courses and efforts to improve themselves is so important.
Kee Chong added that it was encouraging to see some younger referees participating.
“There were some younger referees who were present for this course, they are motivated and showed some great physical qualities and that’s encouraging,” he said.
The FIFA Referee Course was held in New Caledonia from 8-12 August in Rivière Salée.
For more on New Caledonia football visit www.fedcalfoot.com

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