The Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA), in collaboration with FIFA, held a week-long FIFA-MA Referee Workshop dedicated to females in Mount Hagen last month.  

The event – which was part of the FIFA/OFC Refereeing Assistance Programme – saw 35 referees involved.  

Led by PNGFA Head of Refereeing Jimmy Warai, FIFA/OFC Fitness Instructor Tauati Kader, PNGFA Referee Development Official Ben Niso and PNGFA Referee Physical Instructor Noah Kusunan also assisted in delivering the workshop.  

The workshop was made up of theoretical components to help the attendees better understand football, while Tahiti-based Kader conducted physical training tests online via Zoom.  

Warai said the purpose of the course was to continue the growth of females in the refereeing space.  

Fitness testing. Photo Credit: PNGFA Media

“There are a lot of opportunities out there for females in refereeing,” Warai said.  

“Each of the women who were selected have great potential and I look forward to seeing them apply what they’ve learned in their own environments.”    

Kader was pleased with efforts to get more female referees involved in PNG.  

“I was overwhelmed by the large number of female referees taking part in the course,” Kader said.  

“With the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, I would like to see more Papua New Guinean women listed for international matches at OFC and World Cup level.”