It is hoped that next month's visit to the Island by top FIFA and United States Soccer Federation referee lecturer Alfred Kleinaitis will inspire local officials.

The Bermuda Football Association's referees' chairman Aldwin Savery confirmed that Kleinaitis will be here for a series of lectures starting on September 8. The session will run through to September 13 at CedarBridge Academy.

A member of FIFA's Panel of Referees' Instructors for two years, Kleinaitis, who has previously conducted lectures and clinics on the Island, has been a long-serving official of the United States Soccer Federation and currently holds the post of Manager of Referee Development and Education.

He has headed the instructional programme of the national programme for referees' development since 1990, being a volunteer director for six years before becoming a full-time paid employee in 1997. Kleinaitis is also a qualified soccer coach.

"He has a wealth of experience and we in Bermuda are quite familiar with his credentials and ability. We are hoping that the locals will once again welcome him with enthusiasm and give the lectures their usual good support," said Savery.

"What we also hope is that his presence will encourage members of the Bermuda Referees Association in particular to start seriously to prepare for the new season, make them aware that the big kick-off is just around the corner and remind them how important it is for them to become familiar with any changes to existing rules and policies affecting the game."

Sessions are scheduled to last from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. evenings while on Saturdays they will be held from 9 a.m. to 4p.m.

According to Savery they will also be open to assistant referees, referees' assessors and anyone else with a genuine interest in increasing their understanding of the application of the laws.