This year a referee instructor and two referees from the UAE as well as college head Ota, instructor Ishiyama and four students from Referee College participated in this course. It was held in response to requests from the UAE Football Association, as they needed some training opportunities for young referees. Although the course lasted for only four days, the college students were inspired by interacting with referees of a similar age from a different culture with a different style of football.

It was a good opportunity for the college students to experience national-university level matches before the class 1 referee’s certificate exam. Spending time and refereeing with the referees from a different country was also a meaningful experience.

Comments

ISHIYAMA Noboru, Referee Collage instructor
The second-year students at the Referee Collaee participate in the Union Dream Challenge Cup in Ishikawa every year and experience high-level university matches.
This year we went there with two referees and an instructor from the United Arab Emirates in response to requests from the UAE Football Association.
Although it was a new experience for the college students to spend time with Middle Eastern referees, they willingly communicated with them without being shy. The students took care of them and explained about matches despite the culture difference.

The young Emirati referees had distinct personalities, including a confident attitude and possibly what you might call ‘selfish’ behaviour. I’m sure the students felt the difference, which was a great experience for them.
Having difficulty to communicate because of the language barrier must have inspired them for the future as well.
On the other hand, the UAE referees faced a limited diet here (due to Islamic dietary rules) and a different football style in a new environment, but they coped with them flexibly. I’m sure the time in Japan has good effect on them as well. I saw they got sunburn on their face during four days here, and I felt a little sorry for them. As it can be 45 degrees in UAE, I guess they can’t usually play football during the day.
Exchanging with foreign countries gives the college students some good experiences and I think there will be more of these in the future.

Collage students’ comment

UEHARA Naoto, second-year student at the collage (Niigata)
I participated in the Union Dream Challenge Cup, just like last year, and had wonderful experiences through refereeing the university top-level games.
It was very meaningful that I found some issues to be fixed in one match and could try to improve it in another match the following day. I’ll try and put what I learn at this championship into games from now on.

KARASHIMA Kazuyoshi, second-year student at the collage (Fukushima)
I took part in the Union Dream Challenge Cup last year as well, but this year I enjoyed it with referees from the UAE.
I think I understood some of the diet and culture abroad by spending time with them, even though it was a quite limited time.
Also I realised what I needed to learn through exchanging opinions about each other’s refereeing and having reviews together.
‘Firmness as a referee’ is one of those. Each whistle had some strength to make players accept a situation, which was new to me.
I’ll improve myself, using what I’ve learned at this championship.

KASAHARA Hiroki, second-year student at the collage (Fukuoka)
I could see the progress I’ve made over the past year by taking part again in this course.
This year I learned with referees from the UAE and I could try out many things I’ve learned at the ‘Project Future Referee Course’ of the AFC.
I’m really pleased that I can get to know many people from all over the world through football.
I’m also very grateful that I could referee at the university top-level matches in a wonderful environment.

KOIDE Takahiko, second-year student at the collage (Nagano)
I had a meaningful time participating in the Union Dream Challenge Cup with Emirati referees. I learned what I still need to work on, including giving a clear indication of intention and an unyielding attitude, from their refereeing.
It was a really good experience and I realised that footfall is universal despite culture difference.