WILLEMSTAD – The Curaçao Football Federation (FFK) will begin a new basic training course for referees on April 13, aiming to expand and strengthen the pool of match officials on the island.
The program marks the second referee course organized this year, following an earlier edition that resulted in ten new active referees entering the system.
According to the football federation, there is a particular need for more female referees, as international regulations increasingly require women’s matches to be officiated by female officials. At the same time, the course is open to both men and women aged 15 and older.
Participants will be trained to officiate matches across various levels, including youth, women’s and men’s competitions.
The free course will run from April 13 through April 28 and will include a combination of evening and weekend sessions. The program will conclude with an exam, after which successful participants will enter a six-month internship period before receiving their official certification.
Beyond addressing the immediate shortage of referees, the FFK also has a long-term objective. The training initiative is designed to identify and develop talent that could progress to the international stage, with the possibility of future inclusion on the FIFA referee list.
With the launch of the new course, the federation is taking another step toward strengthening the quality and sustainability of football officiating in Curaçao.