'Pioneering event': 'Africa's first L1 Match Official Tutor qualified

• In 2025 IRL 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 has the capacity to produce its own coaches and match officials, through accredited local educators and, ultimately, tutors (who qualify educators)
• The IRL's system prioritises continuing technical development between courses (the ‘CATO’ system), 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
   

IRL’s technical education project has broken new ground in Africa after the delivery of Level 1 Coach and Level 1 Match Official courses over Friday 12th and Saturday 13th June at the Elite High School, Entebbe, Uganda.

The courses, delivered in a partnership between IRL, Rugby League Uganda and Kenya Rugby League Federation, saw KRLF’s Educators leading delivery for their neighbours, resulting in Brian Odiwuory being qualified as Africa’s first Level 1 Match Official Tutor.

His colleagues Esther Nyambura and Scott Figman will also shortly qualify as Level 1 Match Official Educators once they have finalised their Level 2 CATO+ submissions.

“It’s been a privilege to witness and be part of this pioneering event in Uganda,” noted Phil Smith, IRL Senior Match Official Tutor.

“The aim of the weekend for me was two-fold: to give education through the official Level 1 Course to the Ugandan candidates and secondly to enable the Kenyans to further their own education by delivering structured sessions.

"Both of those were achieved which is extremely satisfying. I’m delighted for Brian and congratulate him on attaining Tutor status. Esther and Scott fulfilled their targets also and are well on their way to achieving Educator qualification.”

Odiwuory is naturally delighted to be the first person in the region to achieve the qualification.

“I am honoured to achieve IRL Level 1 Match Official Tutor accreditation,” he said. “I am grateful for the guidance, opportunity, and trust placed in me. This milestone is not just a personal achievement but a step forward for rugby league development in Africa.”

For Uganda, the courses have certified 16 coaches and 12 match officials who will now progress to complete their CATO post-course work to achieve accreditation which will be undertaken as part of the RLU domestic competition which commences 28th June and features six men’s and four women’s teams taking part.

RLU also now exceeds the criteria for Affiliate Membership and will begin preparing its application to IRL to reclassify its membership shortly.

“On behalf of Rugby League Uganda, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to IRL for supporting the courses in Uganda,” commented Charles Ssekiwunga, RLU Chairman.

“The courses were a tremendous success, bringing together 28 participants, a turnout that exceeded the expectations of the educators and demonstrated the growing passion and commitment to rugby league development in Uganda.

“We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our outstanding educators Brian, Esther, John, Scott and Phil whose expertise, dedication and mentorship made this programme impactful and inspiring.

"We also thank all the participants for their enthusiasm and commitment to learning as well as Elite High School for generously providing excellent faculties that contributed to the success of the event.

“Rugby League Uganda remains committed to building on this momentum.  Together with IRL, educators, clubs, schools, coaches, match officials, and players , we pledge to continue this great journey of growing rugby league across Uganda, creating more opportunities and developing the next generation of leaders within our sport".

KRLF Level 1 Coach Educator, John Mbai, was also impressed with what he saw from his neighbours.

“Delivering the Level 1 Coach course in Uganda was a real privilege,” he said. “I was genuinely impressed by the enthusiasm, knowledge and humility of the group - they came ready to learn, ready to challenge, and ready to put players first.

"Having watched some of their domestic competition games, it was fantastic to see young men and women playing with real intensity and already showing solid basic fundamentals. With the strong human resource support and fantastic attitude that Ugandan rugby league has, I have no doubt this nation is on track to become a powerhouse in rugby league.”

Smith was equally excited about the playing talent on display as part of the deployment.

“I think we were all blown away by the passion and dedication of all the Ugandan players in the games we watched,” he concluded. “But most of all by the drive and commitment shown by their coaching director and founder Fortunate Irankunda alongside Charles Ssekiwunga. They are a credit to themselves and hugely ambitious to take the game forward.”