ABOVE: Participants of the 2014 FIFA Referee Assistance Program course for referee instructors, March 17-22, 2014, in San Salvador, El Salvador.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador – A course for referee and physical training instructors – coordinated through the efforts of the FIFA, CONCACAF and UNCAF – was hosted by the Salvadoran Football Federation (FESFUT), March 17-22, in San Salvador.
The program was attended by 39 instructors (26 technical and 13 physical) from 12 countries (each of the seven in Central America, plus Mexico, Haiti, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico).
Since 2008, the FIFA Referee Assistance Program (RAP) seminar -- known as FUTURO III -- has taken place on an annual basis. Its purpose is to update and provide continuing education for those entrusted with the responsibility of preparing referees and assistant referees in their respective countries. Ultimately, the overall objective is to improve the level of match officiating throughout the confederation.
Some of the more interesting aspects of this year’s gathering originated in the technical area, where participants were instructed in the use of new technologies for information and communication. Additionally, video editing tools and a new online database were reviewed, plus Manuel Armenteros examined ways in which instructors could create their own teaching materials.
The sessions were led by FIFA instructors Rodolfo Sibrian (El Salvador), Hector Vergara (Canada), Allan Brown (Costa Rica) and Erick Samayoa (Guatemala).
