Who'd want to be an official in any sport? They're the ones that jilted spectators love to hate.

Fortunately, six brave people wanted the challenge of being a futsal referee and attended NWT Soccer's clinic over the weekend. It was a split of in-class work at the Donald Cooper Building and practical on-court work at the Multiplex with Joe Audi, one of Canada Soccer's national referee instructors.

Audi said everyone got a full weekend worth of what is required to enter the futsal referee system.

SA国际影视传媒淔or the in-class sessions, we went over the laws of the game, we had video sessions to give them an idea of some of the things they might encounter on the court,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲hen we got out on the court, we worked on the signals, their positioning, how to manage yellow and red cards, penalty kicks. It wasn't meant to be fun but all about education.SA国际影视传媒�

Sunday, though, was a bit more entertaining than the two previous days. The group played a Family Feud-style game with questions based on what they had learned. The final portion of the weekend was the exam and the results were posted to the Canada Soccer website on Monday.

It was good news all around.

SA国际影视传媒淓veryone passed,SA国际影视传媒� said Audi. SA国际影视传媒淭hey now need to practice what they've learned and be invited to referee some futsal games wherever they can.SA国际影视传媒�

The clinic was mandatory for anyone looking to officiate at the Arctic Winter Games this coming March but more than that, Audi said this was the best way for people to climb up the ladder in terms of refereeing, something regular indoor soccer can't give them.

SA国际影视传媒淭he first thing that's important to remember is futsal is the game endorsed by FIFA,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淵ou can go from district referee to regional to provincial/territorial and then get your FIFA badge to do it internationally with all of the support from Canada Soccer. You can't do that with indoor soccer.SA国际影视传媒�

Along with the refereeing, Audi said futsal is a better way for people to learn soccer indoors.

SA国际影视传媒淵ou don't have a bouncy ball like indoor soccer does,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚t's perfect for kids because the ball is at their feet as opposed to bouncing all over the place and it's good for coaches as well because the game is more conducive to teaching.SA国际影视传媒�

Some of the best players around have all played futsal at one point or another, he added.

SA国际影视传媒淧eople like Lionel Messi, Ronaldo and others,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚ndoor soccer is fun and I've played and refereed it but futsal is the future and it's perfect for the North. The court size is almost the same as a gym floor so for Yellowknife, you could play it in any gym.SA国际影视传媒�