Ralphen Viane, of Poutasi and Sapapalii, was one of only two Samoans selected to attend the 2025 Australian Sports Commission Coaching and Officiating Conference under a prestigious scholarship. 

Representing Samoa Touch, Viane was the sole delegate from the Pacific region in his sport.

“It was a huge undertaking for me,” Viane said. “I looked at it as a regional opportunity — it was a rewarding experience in a way that I was blessed to be able to represent Samoa and the Pacific.”

“And also at the same time, I was a bit nervous because it's an international forum with 60 different sports across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific region.”

The scholarship, funded by the Australian Sports Commission, awarded each recipient AUD 2,145 to cover travel, accommodations, and registration. The three-day conference emphasized connections, which Viane saw as an opportunity to strengthen Samoa Touch’s global network.

“We do have local connections around here in Samoa, but in terms of international connections and with other governing bodies, we do not have that connection,” he said. Viane added that the conference helped him build those connections.

“I met with the CEO of the Australian Sports Commission, who connected me to the right people and gave me the right leads around that time.”

Since returning from his trip, Viane has launched plans to improve officiating in Samoa. He is currently the only Level 3 referee in Samoa certified by Touch Football Australia and is leading efforts to recruit and train new referees particularly to encourage more women referees.

"My goal and plan is to help the emerging referees and recruit new refs,” he said. “The referee game in Samoa, in any sport, it's mainly male-dominated. But I would like to break that barrier, telling the ladies that it's not just the males that can referee a game or officiate a game.”

Viane has already implemented initiatives inspired by the conference, including a survey to gauge interest in refereeing and a refresher clinic scheduled for April 27. A representative from Touch Football Australia is expected to participate virtually to assist with training.

"My aim is by the end of this year, I will be able to create a pathway between Touch Football Australia so that we can be able to feed our local referees and go and get accredited from abroad and then come back and give back to the touch community,” he said.

The upcoming Samoa Touch Annual General Meeting, set for May 21, will provide an opportunity for further discussion on these initiatives, as Viane and his colleagues work toward expanding the sport's reach.