The just concluded virtual Referees Assistance Programme (RAP), the first to be hosted utilising the online platform, has been deemed a major success by the participants.
“The thought of RAP 2020 on an online platform for the first time because of the COVID 19 got me excited and I wasn’t disappointed,” FIFA Referee Maureese Skeete was quoted as saying in a press release from the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).
“I’m now in a better position theoretically to make the best decisions when I’m back out on the field of play,” he added.
According to Skeete, the course content, materials and technology were excellent and he was impressed by the delivery of the different instructors on the platform.
“The fact that FIFA & the GFF are finding ways to keep us updated with the new Law changes and materials during these difficult times is commendable,” he declared.
The annual three day seminar was held July 24th, 26th and 27th for the duration of two and half hours daily and attracted 35 participants.
Among the areas covered during the sessions were injury treatment, nutrition/fluid intake, review of the Laws of the Game 2020/2021 changes and clarifications, handball and challenges.
“The course, held under the auspices of the FIFA Regional Development Office, was led by FIFA Regional Development Officer, Javier Santos, and he was assisted by Instructors Jeffery Solis and Alan Brown of Costa Rica with IT support from Mark Cahen of the CONCACAF Refereeing Department. Local Technical Instructors were Ingram Johnson, Abdulla Hamid, Sherwin Moore and Fitness Instructor Lindley Langhorne.”
Meanwhile, Head of GFF’s Refereeing Department Dion Inniss, during brief remarks said, “Training and development of referees is an ongoing process: this medium of training in an online environment is novel and has been fully embraced by the match officials. I was very impressed with how quickly the participants adapted to the use of the online tools. At the beginning there was some apprehension as to how this will work, especially considering that the internet connectivity is not the best in most parts of Guyana.”
He added, “The difficulties encountered were minor and there was maximum participation from referees in the safety and comfort of their homes. The department intends to intensify our online programmes to prepare referees for the restart of outdoor activities whenever that time comes. I wish to thank the FIFA Development Office for facilitating the 2020 RAP Course.”
