FIRST EVER MATCH OFFICIAL EDUCATORS ACCREDITED IN AFRICA

• IRL this year launched the most expansive investment into grassroots game development in its history
• The technical education project objective is to ensure that every IRL member nation is able to produce its own coaches and match officials, through accredited local educators
• The IRL's system focuses heavily on continuing technical development (“CATO”: Consolidate-Apply-Team/Train-Organise) between courses, to ensure that acquired knowledge turns into maturing understanding of the game, higher technical standards and an authentically developed sport
• The project is underpinned by state of the art e-learning management systems and coaching resources

Rugby league's capacity in one of its fastest developing regions has made further gains with the accreditation of four African IRL Level 1 Match Official Educators. In an historic step, Kenya's Brian Odiwuory (pictured right) and Marshall Nortey, Chris Ebo Dagama (pictured left) and Jacqueline Ansah of Ghana have been confirmed by the IRL Membership & Competitions department following an intensive year of training and evaluation.

“It's fantastic news that IRL technical education has qualified educators in the Middle East & African region and broken new ground as we see the first IRL-trained female educator being qualified," said IRL's Head of Membership & Competitions, David Butler. "Building a network of educators in each country not only gives that nation sustainability, it allows for cross-border collaboration between neighbouring countries, meaning that we can be more efficient in deployments of educators and give them more opportunity to deliver courses and develop their skills."

All four are now fully qualified to deliver and accredit Level 1 match officials, with Odiwuory set to be deployed next year to neighbouring Uganda to deliver IRL's first technical education in that country. 

"Becoming the first Kenyan to achieve it still feels unreal, but I’m truly grateful," said Odiwuory. "I’ll definitely make sure the recognition is used positively to build the game and inspire others."
 
In another major milestone, Ansah's qualification means that Ghana becomes only the fourth country in the sport with an active female match official educator - Australia, England and New Zealand being the other three.  

"It’s been a journey of hard work, learning, support, ups and downs, resilience and growth," reflected Ansah. "This milestone represents a groundbreaking moment not just for me but for women in Ghana and across the continent. It’s a message of possibility and empowerment to all women and girls. With hard work and dedication we too can break barriers while growing the sport we love, rugby league."

The quartet's busy year included attending a Level 2 course in their country in January, then Nortey and Odiwuory spent ten days in camp in Italy during European Championship C before IRL Tutor James Jones visited Accra in November for another week of workshops and evaluation.

Butler added: “The next step for the Level 1 educators will be to progress to the IRL Level 1 Match Official Tutor grading, whereby they will be skilled to qualify new educators, ultimately leading to greater sustainability and capacity.”

To become an IRL Level 1 educator, a candidate must complete multiple professional development modules in the CATO and CATO+ system (after attending the Level 1 and Level 2 courses) and then assist in the delivery of a whole Level 1 course, during which they must deliver at least two classroom and two outdoor sessions supervised by a Level 1 Tutor who determines capability for sign off.

IRL will announce multiple additional technical education missions next year.