Technical officials need to have a thick skin and learn to move on despite the challenges, says Trisha Cheer

Cheer is a Fiji Swimming nominee in the Technical Official category for the 2016 Fiji Sports Awards. The other nominees are   He Cenguang (Taekwondo), Naca Cawanibuka (Rugby), Robin Dayal (Special Olympics), Sachin Reddy (Table Tennis), Apenisa Saukuru( Volleyball) and Della Shaw Elder  (Weightlifting).

“We get so many criticisms from fans and swimmers families during the competition but we got to have a thick skin and move on. Those are some challenges we face as technical officials,” Cheer said.

The 48-year-old grandmother, who has been involved with swimming for 12 years, believes it is important for officials to understand the rules of the game.

“It all started for me when I was teaching swimming in schools and then I became a swimming instructor and got involved with clubs and coaching.

“I started being a technical official when I saw that most of my swimmers always get disqualified so I decided to learn the rules, getting to know more on the technical part so I can teach my swimmers,” Cheer said.

She was born and brought up in Toorak, Suva and played netball, badminton, hockey and powerlifting.

“I’m currently an accredited international swimming referee and I’ve travelled the world taking part in regional and international swimming meets.

Reddy grateful

Being involved with the sport for 30 years, Sachin Reddy is grateful to be finally recognised.

“This is the first time for me to be nominated and I thank Fiji Tennis for recognising my work.”

Reddy started playing tennis when he was six-years-old and represented Fiji in the U10, U16, U18, 1993 Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu and the 2003 Pacific Games in Suva.

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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