70 aspiring referees recently completed a three-day basic referee course organized by the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) Referee Development Department at the SIFF Headquarter and Technical center.
The course which begin on Monday 3, was a resounding success, equipping participants with the essential skills and knowledge needed to officiate football matches effectively.
SIFF Referee Development Officer (RDO) Hamilton Siau said it was a huge success.
“It’s a big achievement for the referee department to have these overwhelming numbers of participants who have shown keen interest and enjoyed the past 3 days of learning,” Siau said.
Among the male-dominated participants are 11 females and the youngest male is a 14-year-old.
“The number of female referees will be increasing, and that’s a positive sign for the federation. With the upcoming Women’s U15 league and a senior women’s league, it is good to have more females to take up refereeing and get involved actively.
This initiative is part of SIFF’s broader strategy to enhance the quality and professionalism of refereeing within the country.
The training program focused on the fundamentals of refereeing, including the rules of the game, positioning, decision-making, and effective communication.
Experienced instructors provided both theoretical and practical sessions, ensuring that the participants could apply what they learned in real-match scenarios.
The referees were also educated on maintaining integrity and fairness, crucial aspects of their role on the field.
The completion of this course marks a significant step forward for football in the Solomon Islands.
SIFF plans to involve most of these newly trained referees in upcoming youth leagues, providing them with valuable experience while also ensuring that young players benefit from competent officiating.
