FIFA Refereeing Instructors Course Elevates Standards in Oceania

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (May 2024) — FIFA reinforced its commitment to modernizing global refereeing standards with an intensive five-day Instructors’ Course in Oceania earlier this month. Led by FIFA’s esteemed instructor Lim Kee Chong, the program gathered 20 referee educators from across the region, refining their teaching methodologies both in classroom sessions and on-field training.

The course, held in early May, builds on FIFA’s 2023 initiative to revolutionize officiating through proactive decision-making, real-time scenario drills, and error prevention techniques. The curriculum emphasized collaborative refereeing, ensuring that officials work seamlessly with physical and technical coaches to enhance in-game accuracy.

A Forward-Thinking Approach

Lim Kee Chong, a veteran FIFA instructor, stressed the importance of modern pedagogy in referee development.

“We’re moving beyond traditional training,” he said. “Today’s referees must anticipate play, not just react. This course equips instructors to develop officials who think like elite athletes.”

Jovita Qilamasala, an instructor from the Solomon Islands, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the program’s impact on Oceania’s refereeing infrastructure.

“The focus on teamwork and prevention is game-changing,” she said. “We’re not just training referees—we’re building a system.”

Why It Matters

With VAR and semi-automated offside technology expanding globally, FIFA’s investment in Oceania’s referee development ensures the region keeps pace. The course’s scenario-based drills—simulating high-pressure match situations—aim to reduce errors before they occur.