Football is experiencing rejuvenation in New Caledonia with the fortunes of the territories national team capturing the imagination. following its gold medal winning performance at the XIII South Pacific Games in Samoa last year and excellent form in the OFC Nations Cup/2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Qualifiers Stage 2 against Fiji.
Off the pitch FCF has secured sponsorship and support from Nestle, Toyota, Government de la Nouvelles Caledonie, with the glamorous testimonial match between a Christian Karembeu XI and France ’98 XI celebrating the achievements of New Caledonia’s favourite footballing son, creating a buzz of excitement as the sports profile in the French Overseas Territory continues to grow.
But as the game enjoys the extra attention not much has been said about the development of referees in the French Overseas Territory. That’s why the recent groundbreaking Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Referees Instructor Course conducted by OFC Referee Instructor Massimo Raveino has proved a turning point in the development of New Caledonia’s fledgling match officials.
“For many of the aspiring match officials in New Caledonia there are few opportunities to learn about referee methodology, theory and practical application of the game’s laws in except in a senior match,” Raveino told www.oceaniafootball.com.
“Previous referee courses have seen instructors use DVD, after DVD, after DVD, and this is not a useful way to learn. Aspiring referees learn through a combination of theoretical and practical experiences. This is why this course has been a success.”
Raveino conducted a four day course facilitated by Federation Nouvelles Caledonienne de Football (FCF) and hosted between 10-15 trainees, depending upon availability. With most of the course participants in full-time employment, it wasn’t always easy conducting classes.
“The idea of a block course is a new approach and it was to be expected that there would be challenges. But the referees and match officials had enthusiasm and they want to work.”
New Caledonian match officials currently face many unique challenges to reach the top of the football ladder. The territories only Referee Instructor is Mr. Chanel Palaolu. The observation of refereeing standards is literally a one man job.
“New Caledonia is broken into three regions – North, South and Island – so having only one instructor means that referees across the territory do not receive the benefit of a post-match briefing as is the practice in other OFC countries,” Raveino said.
“This makes it difficult for a match official to understand what it is they do well, or don’t do well. This course was able to provide individual feedback, group work and practical sessions for the very first time.”
Raveino attended two FCF Nestle Super Ligue matches at the weekend and provided an insightful assessment of the referees in action.
“I learned a lot about the situation in New Caledonia. Some referees do not yet have a good management technique but this is understandable as there is only one person that is able to provide feedback.
There is also a need for referees to anticipate situations before they happen too. The laws of the game have also been amended and yet some referees employ old interpretations.”
Raveino says this can inflame players and coaches alike but he was quick to add that it was clear in many cases that these people did not always have a full understanding of the laws of the game either.
“I think education in a holistic sense is very important. You have to understand that for New Caledonia the concept of a Referee Development Course or a Referees Instructor Course is a new idea – not everything will be perfect straight away.
I would like to see a calendar produced that plots a pathway for such courses in 2008 with OFC providing a helping hand. By 2009 it would be good to see FCF and the newly formed FCF Referees Committee take charge of its own referee development programme and strategy,” Raveino said.
FCF has acted on this recommendation and formed a pilot Referee Development Committee charged with the task of bringing Raveino’s vision for the nation to life.
OFC match officials put through their paces during a fitness test in late 2006