The Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA) successfully hosted the FIFA MA Youth Referees Course last week, bringing together more than 20 referees, assistant referees, and referee assessors from across the Cook Islands for five days of intensive learning and development.
The course was led by FIFA Refereeing Instructor Jimmy Warai from Papua New Guinea, who guided participants through a comprehensive programme designed to strengthen refereeing knowledge, decision-making, fitness, and match management.
Adding further expertise to the course was the presence of OFC Head of Refereeing Kevin Stoltenkamp and Alejo Pérez Leizamón, FIFA Fitness Instructor and OFC High Performance Coach, who visited during the programme to support the development of local match officials and share their knowledge with participants.
The course welcomed officials from both Rarotonga and the outer islands, including Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia, Mitiaro, and Mauke, highlighting CIFA’s continued commitment to developing refereeing standards throughout the Cook Islands.
Throughout the five-day programme, participants took part in a combination of classroom theory sessions, practical fitness training, and live match assessments, allowing them to apply their learning in real match environments while receiving valuable feedback from the instructors.
CIFA Referee Development Officer Robert Savage congratulated all participants on their commitment and successful completion of the course.
“Congratulations to all of our referees, assistant referees, and assessors who dedicated themselves to completing this five-day programme. We also extend our sincere thanks to FIFA Instructor Jimmy Warai, OFC Head of Refereeing Kevin Stoltenkamp, and Alejo Pérez Leizamón for sharing their expertise and supporting the continued growth of our match officials.”
The FIFA MA Youth Referees Course forms part of CIFA’s ongoing commitment to developing high-quality match officials and creating clear pathways for referees across the country. By investing in education, fitness, and practical experience, CIFA continues to build a stronger refereeing community that will support the growth of football at all levels throughout the Cook Islands.
CIFA Media
