The 40 participants, as well as a FIFA delegation and special guests, were welcomed by Football Federation Samoa CEO Sarai Bareman.
“It is a great honour for the Football Federation Samoa to be hosting this regional course and we are grateful to the FIFA Referee Development team for their support.” Bareman says.
Leading the FIFA delegation is Refereeing Development Senior Manager Fernando Tresaco-Gracia who is joined in Samoa by FIFA Referee Instructors Steve Bennett of England and Toshio Utsumi of Japan and New Zealand-based FIFA Fitness Instructor Mark Hester.
FFS Vice-President Reverend Laupama Solomona spoke on behalf of the executive committee before blessing the course with an inspirational prayer. Assistant Chief Executive Officer of the Samoa Government’s Ministry of Sports, Education and Culture Maimoana Petaia spoke on behalf of the Minister of Sports and officially opened the course.
Bareman believes hosting the course will help shine the spotlight on an aspect of the game that is often considered less glamorous than that of the player.
“I am hopeful that this seminar will have multiple positive outcomes for the FFS. This includes strengthening and development of our own referee development team, three of whom are participants in this course,” she says.
“Refereeing is one area FFS has struggled to develop at the same pace as the game over the past three years. This course will hopefully be the catalyst to boost our referee development and bring it to the level that is should be.
“I know our local participants, Desmond Faaiuaso, Phineas Young and Maria Tamalelagi are very excited for the week ahead,” Bareman concludes.
Split into two parts – Fitness Instruction and Technical Instruction – the course consists of both theory and practical sessions being held at the Tanoa Tusitala Hotel in Apia and the FFS Fields in Tuanaimoto respectively.
The course will conclude on Friday evening when the participants will all travel to the FFS Fields to watch the Men’s Cup semi-final where OFC Champions League representatives Kiwi FC will play National League runners-up Lupe O Ie Soaga.
While it is an opportunity to see some of the top local footballers in action, the participants will be focusing on assessing the match officials.

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