MATCH Officials Steven Tom and Levi Aburin will be officiating at the U15 Development Tournament in Auckland, New Zealand, which begins today. Both were selected under the Oceania Football Confederation Referees Academy to represent PNG. The OFC Referees Academy is a development program under OFC that is aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of aspiring and existing referees in the region. Tom who was selected from the Hekari Soccer Association in Kutubu said he started refereeing in 2018. “It’s almost seven years now that I have been refereeing and this is my first international trip as a referee, and I am both excited and nervous at the same time. I have refereed at PNGFA sanctioned tournaments including the Women’s National Soccer League and National Youth Soccer League,” he added. He said for two years he was an assistant referee before being moved to being a central referee. “I hope to learn and gain exposure and experience at the same time from the other referees there and to upgrade myself on the laws of the game. We will undergo a fitness test at the same time.” He offered his gratitude to his deceased parents and Coach Matthew Witu, plus sponsor Kutubu Security Services and Urisa Limited, plus PNGFA president John Kapi Natto. Tom further acknowledged head of the referee’s department in Jimmy Warai and Ben Iso. Aburin said he is going as an assistant referee.