Vulivuli will lead a trio from Oceania that is rounded out by New Zealand assistant referee’s Jacqueline Stephenson and Sarah Walker.
While it isn’t an entirely new experience for Vulivuli, who attended the 2011 Women’s World Cup and the 2008, 2010 and 2012 U-17 Women’s World Cups, it is something that will see her go down in the Oceania record books.
“Although excited and ecstatic, I feel humbled and as usual, a great sense of responsibility,” Vulivuli says of the feeling she got after learning she was nominated.
“On a personal level I am delighted and satisfied that upon completion of this tournament I would have officiated all levels and competitions from the national, regional and international level.
Stephenson will also be adding her name to the record books alongside Vulivuli after accompanying the referee at the same FIFA tournaments, as well as the Algarve Cup in Portugal and the Peace Queen Cup in Korea.
For Walker however, Canada 2014 will mark her first FIFA experience after earning her spot on the FIFA list for the first time this year.
And she’s in good hands with Vulivuli at the helm of the trio.
With her eye on a return to Canada for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015, Vulivuli says this is an important step in her journey.
“Considering that all competitions in the women’s calendar in 2014 are being used to gauge referees and select the Women’s World Cup 2015 panel, being appointed to this tournament is significant in ensuring a chance to officiate in the Women’s World Cup next year, and it will depend entirely on my performance at this upcoming tournament.”
With a group of 50 referees having been included in the pre-selection since 2013, Vulivuli says the road to Canada 2015 remains very competitive.
“By the end of the year, this number will be decreased and therefore it is crucial to perform well in order to be considered for Canada 2015. Performance won’t be assessed solely on an individual basis but also on the overall performance of the trio.”
With so much experience under her belt at all levels, Vulivuli knows the rigours of preparing for a FIFA event very well.
“Training is at least five times a week and I try to strictly follow the monthly training programme sent by the FIFA Referee’s Department,” she explains.
“This usually includes Speed Endurance, Strength Training, High Intensity Tempo Runs, Agility and Core Stability exercises as well as reactivity and plyometric training.
“In addition, recovery and rest days also include cycling, swimming and aqua aerobics. However this could change depending on the availability of facilities or weather conditions and thus alternate training could be done.”
She adds that in addition to her FIFA training programme, Fiji referees are required to meet Wednesday afternoons for fitness or tactical training.
While all that is tough to fit around a schedule already full of work and social commitments, Vulivuli says it gets even busier following an international nomination.
“As a FIFA referee I must be prepared at all times for any appointment at the national, regional or international level,” she explains.
“However upon being appointed to a FIFA event I try to increase my speed training and spend as much time analysing video clips as well as working with my colleagues and national instructors in perfecting areas of refereeing that need improvement.”
The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup is being held in Canada from 5-24 August. The host cities are Edmonton, Toronto, Moncton and Montreal.

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