BY JOY OFASIA
THE Solomon Islands refereeing fraternity has been given the opportunity for local women and girls to pursue their passion for football.
Mrs. Joana Mano is one of very few women referees in the country, who hopes her achievements will help promote refereeing to the public and encourage more females to learn the trade. Therefore, what made her become a referee in the first place?
“Back then I was in form three and saw referee as an interesting career.
“I chose to become a referee because, in my family, a few of my uncles have also taken up the trade as national referees in both domestic and international football competitions, and seeing them involved in this career, I admire them a lot. Their passion and active participation in the football arena motivated me to follow up in their steps,” she told SOLOMON WOMEN.
In 2012, Mrs. Joana was fortunate to enroll refereeing training course organized by the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) held at the Aligegeo, Malaita province. With the refereeing expertise from the facilitators, she was able to be guided, taught, trained, and become certified in her career as a referee.
With her referee qualification, she has over the years managed to officiate in FIFA and OFC-recognised national, and regional football competitions. Likewise, she was recognized to officiate in the OFC Under-19 Women’s Championship League in the Cook Islands.
“I am very happy to be able to get this opportunity to officiate at a top OFC tournament. After knowing that I’m one of only a few local women referees at the tournament, I am also both happy and humbled to be able to represent my country, Solomon Islands, and I have learned from other top referees from other countries at the tournament
It was not easy as she had to balance her full-time work at the locally owned Tongs Company in Honiara and also with her refereeing commitments.
She also admits the journey to becoming a woman referee in the country was not easy as she had to face abusive words from fans.
“Being a referee is not easy, I have to face on a lot of challenges on the field of play. I have faced a lot of threats, and abusive language from local football supporters, who might feel unsatisfied with the decisions I made on the field of play.
“I have learned to overcome these challenges especially to remain humble, confidence and accept whatever constructive and abusive criticism and continue to improve and learn at the same time,” she said.
Mrs. Joana hopes her achievements will help promote refereeing to the public and encourage more ladies to learn the trade.
“Sport is an interesting activity that we all should involve in. It has many positive benefits and most importantly it benefits our health.
“As a referee, an individual has to play a crucial role in ensuring fair play, enforcing rules, and making accurate judgments in organized football tournaments. To effectively carry out the duties, a referee needs to possess a certain level of physical fitness.
“Fitness is indeed an important skill for referees in many sports, not just football,” she said.
