The proposed Rugby 7s Match Officiating and Coaching workshop organized by the Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation (SIRUF) starts this afternoon in Honiara.

Training will be at the Commonwealth Youth Program Centre at Panatina Campus.

Twenty-two rugby officials, teachers and women participants have signed up for the training.

Organisers have reserved space for representatives from the provinces who can confirm their names upon arrival at the course venue.

The workshop will be conducted by Roger Higgins, an IRB trainer from the New South Wales Rugby Union, Australia, Otenili Tuipolotu, an IRB Educator from Tonga Rugby Union who is also the FORU Regional Development Officer for the West Oceania region and Nick Hatigeva, a SIRUF-DO and a licensed IRB Educator.

The workshop will focus mainly on Rugby 7s Match Officiating and Coaching and it is the first for SIRUF to organize, which is aimed at improving the skills and performncel of our local referees and match officials in the sevens code.

"The trainings is also important as they will kick start the accreditation process for our local rugby officials in the seven-a-side code. Rugby officials and intended participants who had submitted their names to attend the courses are highly encouraged to turn up for the training," Mr. Hatigeva said.