JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- The annual FIFA Referees Instructor Seminar concluded on Tuesday in Johannesburg, South Africa. Thirty-two instructors from around the world, including six from CONCACAF, participated in the five-day gathering.
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FIFA instructors are responsible for conducting all FIFA-organized instructional activities with referees worldwide.
"It has truly been an honor to participate as a FIFA Instructor and represent CONCACAF in this capacity, said the USA's Sandra Hunt, a seminar attendee and FIFA Instructor since 2004. "I continue to be energized and humbled by the large numbers of people I meet who enthusiastically serve the game in their many capacities."
In addition to Hunt, other participants from CONCACAF were: Rodolfo Sibrian (El Salvador, FIFA RAP Instructor), Brian Hall (CONCACAF Director of Referee Administration), Benito Archundia (Mexico), Peter Prendergast (Jamaica, FIFA RAP Instructor) and Esse Baharmast (USA).
The seminar's main objective was to continue with the development of instructional uniformity, giving instructors a consistent and common method for their work. Toward that end, the most up-to-date teaching materials and information were utilized.
Each instructor took part in multiple group sessions. Additionally, they reviewed video clips involving World Cup situations, prepared a presentation to the other participants and conducted a practical training session involving 20 referees from the Johannesburg area.
The Futuro III course was covered as well, with a focus placed on content and philosophy.
"It's important for FIFA to host this annual instructor course and to mix men and women together so that we can have the common message," Canadian Sonia Denoncourt, from the FIFA Refereeing Competitions Division, told FIFA.com. "We have to increase the quality of teaching and professionalism.
"It's good to see lots of women participate, almost 25 per cent of the participants are women, and that means we are moving towards the right direction. We need to concentrate on quality."
With six FIFA instructors, CONCACAF has a strong team in place that can advance refereeing in the Confederation to another level.
Said Brian Hall, CONCACAF's Director of Referee Administration, " It is evident from the critical work of our people on the world stage that FIFA values the skill set of the CONCACAF instructor."
