7 August 2019 – World governing body, FIFA, in conjunction with the South African Football Association (SAFA) is hosting a National Women Referees Course from 3-7 August 2019 at SAFA House with the participants drawn from all of the country’s 9 Provinces.
The intensive course comes at an appropriate time as women referees are set to be in high demand due to the impending kick off of the National Women’s League.
Participants went through the Laws of the Game, with emphasis on the latest amendments of the game.
Fitness levels of members was also part of the process as all participants were put through some rigorous fitness processes.
The Integrated Practical Sessions with players took part at the University of Johannesburg (Soweto Campus) and Nike Centre.
Ms Kari Seitz, FIFA Senior Referees Manager, took charge of the Course and has been assisted by Ms Tracey Lovell, Ms Refilwe Tshigeng (Physical Instructors), Mr. Abdul Ebrahim (Technical Instructor) and Ms Dawn Lubisi (Course Administrator).
“SAFA is thankful for the support which FIFA is providing to the Association in empowering our females referees. They have sent one of their Senior Officials to our shores to ensure that our women referees get the best on the latest in refereeing trends. Refereeing is not static, there are positive changes all the time, and our referees need to be up to the task and not be left behind,” said Natasha Tsichlas, the Chairperson of the Referees Committee.