Developing referees seen as important

By ISAAC LIRI
DEVELOPING referees are part of the game development programme for Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League and NRLPNG.
Since the programme started last year, both organisations have been working to ensure referees around the country are well equipped with the necessities of officiating in a rugby league match.
Referee and trainer consultant Steve Hamilton, from Australia, visited the country over the weekend to run a workshop at the National Sports Institute in Goroka.
Hamilton, who is not new to training rugby league referees in PNG, went through theory and practical sessions with referees from leagues in Goroka, Lae and the Highlands, including a few from the Digicel Cup.
During the theory session, the participants shared their experiences as referees.
After the theory session, the referees did drills.
The topics that were discussed were touch judging, how to use communication equipment and decision making.
Hamilton said similar workshops were also held in Port Moresby and Kokopo.
He said the workshop was important as it would help the referees make good, consistent calls in the matches they officiated in.
“Wherever the referees are, they have to do the same thing,” Hamilton said.
“This workshop is about eliminating those differences which referees in PNG apply.”
Being a trainer who visits the country regularly, Hamilton understands the challenges that referees face in PNG, which are different from those experienced in Australia and other countries that have rugby league competitions.
One notable challenge which Hamilton mentioned was crowd violence.
He said such workshop would help address the challenges by helping referees be more effective in their duties.