Italy has become the second nation to complete the match officials phase of the RLEF’s Technical Strategy, following a course in the Veneto region over the weekend. Federazione Italiana Rugby League match official tutors Guido Bonatti and Philippo Veronese ran the course under the scrutiny of RLEF Match Officials manager Steve Davis.

“I was very impressed with both tutors Guido and Pippo,” commented Davis. “Both were present at the Phase 1 tutor training event last year and have developed their own FIRL course mixing the RLEF standard MO course and merging it with video resources they have developed themselves, whilst creating their own Italian version of the International Laws of the Game.”

Six candidates, including one female rugby union referee interested in getting involved in the growing Italian rugby league operation, attended the course, which included a morning theory session before a practical workshop and assessment in the afternoon.

Veronese, a former Italian international who now leads FIRL’s match officials section, was enthused by the first course: “This marks great progress in FIRL’s development – it was satisfying seeing Italians teaching other Italian match officials and we can all see how we’ll all be able to benefit the sport. Everyone is excited about refereeing a game!”

The new Italian match officials – the first ever to be taught and qualified by their compatriots – will get the chance to test their new skills when the Italian domestic season kicks off with a 9s festival in two weeks.

"The awareness of the candidates was mixed so coordinating this course two weeks before a season launching 9s festival shows the Italian tutors have great vision in not only qualifying officials but getting them immediate experience at a multi-game event. I offer the FIRL my full congratulations and look forward to seeing some of their best officials progressing to RLEF events in the future”.

Pictured: Guido Bonatti (left) and Pippo Veronese (with ball) deliver the first match officials course in Italy.