20 Belize referees participate in one-week FIFA Referee Course at FFB Headquarters in Belmopan

Posted: Tuesday, August 19, 2025. 12:04 pm CST.

International assistant referee Juan Colindres participating in FIFA Member Association Referee Course 2025 on Monday morning at the FFB Headquarters – Photo Credit: FFB

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The Football Federation of Belize (FFB) officially opened the FIFA Member Association Referee Course 2025 on Monday morning at the FFB Stadium and Headquarters in Belmopan, welcoming 20 referees from across the country for a week of intensive training.

Led by FIFA Technical Instructor Leonel Leal of Costa Rica and FIFA Physical Instructor Erick Samayoa of Guatemala, the course aims to strengthen the technical, physical, and practical competencies of Belizean referees. Later in the day, the team was joined by FIFA Regional Director John Pitti of Panama, further reinforcing the international scope and expertise behind the program.

FIFA Technical Instructor Leonel Leal of Costa Rica at opening of FIFA Member Association Referee Course 2025 on Monday morning at the FFB Headquarters – Photo Credit: FFB

“This course is part of FIFA’s global initiative to raise refereeing standards through intensive technical, physical, and practical training,” the FFB said.

“Throughout this week, referees will participate in several theoretical and practical sessions.”

The theoretical sessions, covering the Laws of the Game, match management, and decision-making, are reinforced by practical field exercises designed to simulate real-game scenarios.

A key highlight of the course is the FIFA Fitness Test, scheduled for Tuesday. This standardized assessment evaluates referees’ speed, endurance, and agility — essential attributes for officiating at competitive levels. The test ensures that referees meet the physical demands required to keep pace with the modern game.

FIFA Physical Instructor Erick Samayoa of Guatemala at opening of FIFA Member Association Referee Course 2025 on Monday morning at the FFB Headquarters – Photo Credit: FFB

The trio of international instructors is being supported by FFB’s own referee instructors — David Henry Jones, Abner Alvarez, and Gerald Henry Jr — who are assisting with both technical and physical components throughout the week.

This year’s course marks a return for Leal, Samayoa, and Pitti, who were in Belize in August 2023 when the program was known as the Referee Assistance Program (RAP). That earlier initiative laid the groundwork for what is now the Member Association Referee Course, reflecting FIFA’s updated structure for referee development. On that occasion as well, Jones, Alvarez, and Henry provided local support, reinforcing continuity in Belize’s referee training efforts. Leal was also here last year conducting Youth Referees Course following the 2024 Member Association (MA) Referees Training Course.

FFB Head of Referees Eugene Contreras at opening of FIFA Member Association Referee Course 2025 on Monday morning at the FFB Headquarters – Photo Credit: FFB

Overseeing the programme is Eugene Contreras, Head of Referees at the FFB, who is providing logistical support and ensuring the smooth organization and hosting of the course. While his role is primarily administrative, his presence reinforces the Federation’s commitment to referee development.

Among the referees participating in this year’s course are Colindres, Andres Chiroy, Alexander Lourie, McQuetti Reid, Rafael Cal, Manuel Tush, Maclovio Ack, Axel Ewan, Emir Rash, Ari Williams, Arsenio Tush, Kevin Rash, Aidan Chavarria, and Stefan Nolberto. Their inclusion reflects a broad national representation and a shared commitment to improving officiating standards across Belize.

The FFB extended its best wishes to all participants, emphasizing the importance of referee development in strengthening the integrity and quality of football in Belize.

Participants, instructors, and FFB officials at the opening of FIFA Member Association Referee Course 2025 on Monday morning at the FFB Headquarters – Photo Credit: FFB

Participants at the opening of FIFA Member Association Referee Course 2025 on Monday morning at the FFB Headquarters – Photo Credit: FFB

Participants at the opening of FIFA Member Association Referee Course 2025 on Monday morning at the FFB Headquarters – Photo Credit: FFB

Participants at the opening of FIFA Member Association Referee Course 2025 on Monday morning at the FFB Headquarters – Photo Credit: FFB

Participants at the opening of FIFA Member Association Referee Course 2025 on Monday morning at the FFB Headquarters – Photo Credit: FFB

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Posted: Tuesday, August 19, 2025. 12:04 pm CST. International assistant referee Juan Colindres participating in FIFA Member Association Referee Course 2025 on Monday morning at the
The post 20 Belize referees participate in one-week FIFA Referee Course at FFB Headquarters in Belmopan appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.