Refs, coaches get training

By JAMIE HARO
TRAINING more referees and coaches will help expand the interest of touch football in the country, Federation of International Touch board director Peter Topp says.
The international federation in partnership with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Football Association hosted a one-day training course for Touch Federation PNG coaches and referees on Friday.
“The federation of the international body created a partnership with the ADF,” Topp said.
“On Friday, 50 coaches and referees took part in this programme. They are now able to go back into the communities and practice what they’ve learnt so that local competitions can be refereed well and players are happy about that,” he told The National yesterday.
Topp, who formerly coached the PNG men’s national team during the 2015 World Cup to win a bronze medal, said the programme could help grow the sport in the country.
Meanwhile, Topp said the coaches and referees training was part of the programme to help the national team prepare for the 2023 Pacific Games.
“The games between ADF and PNG are part of their (PNG) preparation for the Pacific Games. They needed some games and we were able to bring players over to play these games,” he said.