The week-long course will be conducted by OFC Referee Development Officer Massimo Raveino, Referee Instructor Neil Poloso and Fitness Trainer Kader Touati.

Fiji Football Referees Director Chandra Segran says the course is vital in helping to upskill the local referees.

“This will really be helpful to our local referees. It will give them a chance to learn more which will assist them in getting better. Our elite referees along with a few upcoming talents will be attending the course,” Segran said.

Segran added that the course will assist them in selecting the panel for the 2010 Vodafone Fiji FACT which is the first major tournament of the year.

“From this course we will also be selecting referees for the Fiji FACT,” he said.
Fiji FA President Dr. Sahu Khan officially launched the course at the start of this week.
OFC places high importance on developing world class match officials and in 2008 referee development received a huge boost thanks to a brand new FIFA-funded Refereeing Assistance Programme (RAP).
Under the supervision of Raveino, Poloso and Touati, the programme is helping to create a more organised, professional approach to refereeing in Oceania.
Their efforts have paid off with the inclusion of two referee trios in the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa – a first for Oceania.
Story and photo courtesy Fiji FA Media
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