BY JOY OFASIA
Ben Aukwai has been named the Referee of the Season for the 2025 Super League in Honiara, Solomon Islands. The award was presented during the recent Super League awards ceremony, recognizing the outstanding performers of the season.
Ben’s remarkable achievement continues to bring pride to the Solomon Islands. Recognised as one of Oceania’s top match officials, he has been selected among 27 referees worldwide to officiate at the FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup 2025 in Qatar — another step forward in his inspiring journey.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with RAW SPORTS, Ben shared his excitement and gratitude for the honour, saying the award means more to him than words can describe.
“This award means a lot to me. I feel so honoured and humbled to receive it,” Ben said with a smile. “It shows that my commitment, hard work, performance, understanding, and applying the Laws of the Game during this season have paid off. It really motivates me to work harder, learn, and improve more in my refereeing career for the next season.”
For Ben, refereeing has been a long and challenging journey, but one filled with lessons and growth. He described some of the most difficult moments he faced during the Super League season — particularly dealing with criticism from coaches and players during matches.
“The challenges I faced were mostly criticism and pressure from coaches and players during games,” he explained. “But I overcame them by applying the Laws of the Game to manage the situations that came up. I use those experiences to build my confidence and be more consistent in my decision-making when similar challenges happen again.”
Ben’s success didn’t come overnight. Over the years, he has worked hard to improve his skills and knowledge by attending training courses and seminars conducted by the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF), the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), and FIFA. His experiences in both local and international tournaments have shaped his understanding of the game and improved his ability to make fair and accurate decisions on the field.
“Attending those courses and officiating in different tournaments helped me grow personally,” he said. “They taught me how to interpret and apply the Laws of the Game better and to stay focused under pressure.”
One of the proudest moments of his career came in 2024 when he was nominated among the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) Men’s World Best Referees.
“That was a milestone and a historic moment for me,” Ben said proudly.
Originally from Malaita Province, with family roots in the Reef Islands of Temotu Province, Ben is one of the few Solomon Islands referees holding a FIFA Badge — a recognition that allows him to officiate international matches. His journey into refereeing began with the influence of his elder brother and encouragement from former FIFA referee, Mr. Gerald Oiaka.
Ben believes that being a good referee takes more than just knowing the rules — it requires discipline, dedication, and continuous learning.
“To be a successful referee in the S-League, you need to be committed and willing to attend training, stay at peak fitness, read and understand the Laws of the Game, and be confident and consistent in your decision-making,” he said. “You must also have self-discipline.”
Reflecting on his career, Ben shared that his mistakes have been his greatest teachers.
“Some errors I made in my decision-making during past matches helped me to improve,” he admitted. “They shaped me to be more consistent and gain more knowledge in football. I’ve learned to understand and apply the Laws of the Game better in future matches.”
Ben expressed thanks to those who supported him throughout his journey.
“First of all, I thank God for giving me strength, knowledge, wisdom, and understanding,” he said. “I also want to thank my family, referee colleagues, and the SIFF Referees Department for their support and for this award.”
As a role model for upcoming referees, Ben offered words of encouragement to those who hope to follow in his footsteps.
“To aspiring referees, be committed to training, stay fit, and always study the Laws of the Game,” he advised. “Have self-discipline, believe in yourself, and set goals for what you want to achieve — not only in refereeing but in life as well.”
