Davy Laxa graduates from AFC Referee Academy

After three years of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication, CNMI’s Davy Laxa has graduated from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Referee Academy, becoming the first referee from the CNMI to complete the program.

Laxa graduated with Batch 5 on Sept. 18, in Malaysia alongside 43 referees from across Asia.

For Laxa, completing the Academy is more than just a personal accomplishment. He said he hopes his journey will show young people in the NMI that there are opportunities to build a future in football beyond playing and coaching.

“I really hope that my participation in this three-year-long Academy can show that referee development deserves to be prioritized alongside the development of players and coaches because there is a future in football beyond playing and coaching,” Laxa said.

“Refereeing can also be a career choice in the world of football—a chance to represent our islands, pursue our passion, and reach the highest level of the sport.”

When Laxa started the Academy in 2023, he said he had three goals in mind. His first was to create a vision for aspiring referees in the NMI and show them that there are other pathways in football besides playing and coaching.

His second was to officiate at the highest level of football he could achieve through the program, and his third was to open doors for him to officiate in other countries and gain experience at the international level.

Looking back, he said the experience showed him that the hard work and sacrifices were worth it. “I am extremely honored to be the first football referee from the NMI to graduate from this Academy,” he said. “This achievement showed me that investing countless hours of hard work, sacrifice and dedication paid off at the end.”

The three-year journey was challenging in many ways, he said, but it also helped him gain the respect, acknowledgment, and support of the NMI football community. “Being a part of this group is truly an incredible honor and an unforgettable experience. I am forever grateful for this opportunity to learn alongside officials, instructors, and mentors who share the same passion as I do.”

Now that he has completed the Academy, Laxa hopes his experience can bring more attention to referee development in the NMI and encourage other local referees to pursue opportunities outside the islands.

He also dedicated the achievement to everyone in the NMI football community who supported him throughout his journey. “To the referees, players, coaches, instructors, mentors, friends and family who have encouraged me along the way—thank you,” he said.

“This is not just for me. It is for our islands. I hope it can serve as a reminder that no matter how small our islands may be, we can achieve and accomplish so much more.”