Oceania Rugby recently launched their first-ever Match Official High Performance Camp in Nadi, Fiji, marking a significant milestone for the region. The event gathered match officials from across the Oceania region to enhance their skills, share knowledge, and elevate officiating standards in rugby.
“The Oceania Rugby Match Official High Performance Camp represents a pivotal moment for the development of officiating in our region,” said Richard Sapias, Oceania Rugby President. “Launching this camp in Fiji demonstrates our commitment to supporting match officials and promoting excellence in the game.”
The camp provided a unique platform for officials to engage in comprehensive training sessions, workshops, and discussions led by experienced referees and educators from World Rugby. Participants had the opportunity to refine their techniques, learn about the latest advancements in match officiating, and foster a spirit of camaraderie among their peers.
“The Oceania region is taking great strides towards fostering the development and upskilling of local officials through our Match Official Camp. This is just another step forward in elevating the standards and competencies of the people from our region,” said Frank Puletua, Oceania Rugby General Manager.
“We are delighted that we are the first region in the world to establish a Match Official High-Performance unit,” said Michael Tanzer, Oceania Rugby Match Official Chair. “This opportunity provides international exposure and exchanges in areas outside of the region, including USA, Japan, Canada. This program is first to be fully integrated with World Rugby’s talent identification pathways.”
This program is being supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) flagship program, PacificAus Sports. PacificAus Sports is an Australian Government sports diplomacy initiative developing pathways for Pacific teams and athletes to compete in elite competitions and access high-performance coaching in Australia and internationally.