FIFA referees course well-received – Samuels
Published:Monday | July 31, 2023 | 12:07 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
The five-day FIFA referees course, which concluded at the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) headquarters yesterday, was well-received, according to head of the JFF Referees Department Cardella Samuels.
More than 26 elite and panel referees participated in the course overseen by FIFA development officer Javier Santos and led by FIFA instructor Joe Hardy.
The annual FIFA MA course, which also had presentations from local instructors, was conducted for the top local referees and panel referees in Jamaica.
The officials went over amendment of laws, reviewed footage, and had presentations and discussions to aid the development of match officials, and Samuels was delighted with the enthusiasm of the participants and how eagerly they grasped the information being presented.
“The course was for five days. It started on Wednesday. We had our fitness test at the Usain Bolt track and we had a 100 per cent pass,” she noted.
“But they are, basically, here to see the performance of our local instructors, how they conduct their sessions, and make an assessment and judge them.
“The sessions have been awesome and well received. They have been very good, and the instructors have been very interactive with the participants. They were really into the sessions, and that is a plus.”
She noted that some participants had to fly off to international competitions, such as Stephanie Yee-Sing, who is currently at the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
However, she is proud of the strides local officials continue to make internationally and wants to see even more young people taking up the profession.
“We had officials that participated in the Under-20 World Cup. Oshane Nation and Jassett Kerr participated in the Gold Cup. Daneon Parchment just came back from the League Cup, and others have left to participate in that League Cup as well. So we have been active and have been doing well. I am proud, and it is just for them to continue and be consistent,” she said.
Samuels added that the lower-level referees are not being left behind as they are ensuring that there are regular courses to keep them abreast of developments and changes and to upgrade qualifications.
“This one was for the higher-level referees, but we are putting some things in place to have courses for the lower-level referees. We need some courses for persons coming up, and this is what we are putting in place.
“We are doing a recruitment drive and had an examination about a month ago. So we are now doing courses with those new recruits and will be having exams shortly.
“But at least two to three times per month, we will be trying to have sessions for the lower-level referees,” Samuels said.