Level 1 Officiating Course

Fiji Rugby Union’s Trainer and Educator, Patrick Gock and Samuela Tuidraki conducted a Level 1 Officiating course in Nadi earlier this week.

The course was attended by participants from the Nadroga and Nadi area and Gock says that a lot of positive effort was put in by the participants through individual and group presentations.

“There was a lot of enthusiastic and eagerness to learn more on becoming a better referee and with a lot more practice and game time experience for starters they would definitely improve.”

“Following up on their progress is really important and more coaching would play a big part in this” Gock said.

“There was very positive feedback from the participants and it was a real blessing to have three professional referees visit them and talk on communication, The Referees Role and Technical Skills, Pascal Gauzere, JP Doyle and George Clancy. The three visitors taught them that as long as they were fit, got the basics right, they would never go wrong.”

George Clancy presented on how the Referee must be well aware of the Laws of the Game, JP Doyle, presented on how the participants must prioritize each action of play on the field, i.e. A to B to C which in referee terms is their Checklist, while Pascal Gauzere presented on how the communication must be clear, short and to the point.

The participants were very active and positive in their feedback and understood the basics of refereeing.

The youngest female that attended the course was 14 years old and Gock said that by teaching her the basics of refereeing will see her go a long way. She would need to input her fitness on the Get into Rugby website, practice with honesty, reflect and write honest opinions after she officiates a match.

The participants were told that in order to be a referee they must be independent, love the game, have passion and most of all enjoy their refereeing.

13 males and 2 female participants attended the course.