Six participants took the time to upskill at last week’s Football Federation American Samoa’s (FFAS) Referee Instructors Course, learning more about what’s required to help foster referees in their country.
The four-day event saw the instructors discuss video matches and then cover a live local girls’ high school game, where they wrote match reports and reported back to the group as part of their assessment.
The instructors were assessed on the quality of their reports, knowledge, methods of teaching, IT skills, time management and communication skills.
The event was facilitated by FFAS Refereeing Development Officer Sione Mau, OFC Head of Refereeing Kevin Stoltenkamp and Solomon Islands based OFC Refereeing Consultant Neil Poloso.
Mau said he enjoyed watching the instructors collaborate throughout the course.
“Everyone was eager to learn new things about being a referee instructor at FFAS and OFC level,” Mau said.
“The main two lessons I wanted them to take away from the course was how to analyse field situations and learn how to put match reports together.”
Stoltenkamp praised Mau for his efforts in implementing the OFC Education and Training Programme for the FFAS Referee Instructors.
“It was encouraged by us at OFC for FFAS to hold an MA Referees Instructors Course so that they’re educated to observe and mentor referees when they complete their Referee Level 1 Course,” Stoltenkamp said.
“This is to ensure both referees and instructors are getting ongoing practical experience and coaching.
“Thank you Sione for your time in putting this event together.”
