Media Alert: 2010 Programmes Leaving a Lasting Legacy in Western Cape Communities

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport's 2010 unit, in partnership with South African Football Association (SAFA) Western Cape Referees Association, will host a series of developmental training workshops in order to upgrade the standard of referees in the Western Cape.

The first of the three workshops will involve sixty 2nd division Vodacom and Sasol referees (women's league) who will be trained over this weekend, 18-20 December 2009 at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). The course is a basic grade 7 course, which will align Vodacom referees to Premier Soccer League (PSL) standards. The aim is to get continuity and so make it easier for referees to be upgraded.

The next 2 workshops, which are scheduled to take place in February 2010, will focus on the South African Breweries (SAB) - 3rd division referees and their development.

According to Minister Sakkie Jenner, Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs, Sport and Recreation, 'this is an opportunity for our coaches to be trained, and in turn plough back to their communities the skills which they have been taught'.

The referees will undergo fitness test and at the same time be exposed to the recent amendments made to the rules of the games.