Seventeen futsal referees came together at the Fiji Football Association (FFA) headquarters in Vatuwaqa to participate in the FIFA Futsal Referees Course last week.
The three-day course was facilitated by Solomon Islands-based OFC Referee Development Officer and FIFA Instructor Neil Poloso who presented theory lessons via Zoom, followed by practical sessions in the afternoons led by FFA Futsal Referee Instructors.
The course aimed to prepare referees for upcoming MA Futsal Leagues and Championships.
There was a focus on the Futsal Laws of the Game, learning the differences between futsal and football, ways to improve refereeing techniques and skills on how to communicate with other match officials.
Poloso said he was impressed with the turnout and enthusiasm shown by the participants.
“I was happy to see that more than 50 percent of participants were between 17-25 years old as it’s a positive sign in terms of developing them to become top level futsal referees in the future,” he said.
“It’s also important to mention that there were two female referees in attendance.
“At the end of the event I knew the course was beneficial for the referees’ personal development as well as the overall development of futsal in Fiji.”
Following the course, each of the participants will be appointed to matches in the FFA National Futsal League and assessed, then provided with further coaching by the FFA Futsal Referee Instructors and Assessors.
