News

December, 2007

We are now in the third month of educating inmates (all of them quite young) as rugby referees and we are more successful there than in the first project because obviously the students are in a structure that allows us to teach them consistently.
They learn not only the rules but also every thing related to the refereeing development.

This is done with mainly practical on the pitch of the prison ground of Nasinu.
We realise after three months that this project can be worthwhile only with a thorough organisation and more financial means. So far we operate on a volunteer basis, paying our own fuel (Nasinu is located 15 Km from Suva), time and providing the few equipment we have.

We have a group of 20 players and 2 guards we develop. Guards are a crucial part of our project as we hope eventually they would take over the education of the inmate for refereeing and also they can ensure some continuity when we are away. We visit 2 times a week for sessions of One hour and a half. The students are very keen but I must say they struggle because refereeing requires qualities that were denied for various reasons in their life so far. That is self confidence, toughness  (that is stand your ground and not being negatively influenced), respect of the rules, method and process in decision making etc

Refereeing is a Life Skill (copyright Society in Transition)