Young people pass through local refs course

(CNS): Twelve people have completed last month’s CIFA Referee Beginners Course including Three of Cayman U20 Women National players. Officials from CIFA said the certification could be the first step for the new referees to represent Cayman on the international stage. CIFA's Senior Referee Instructor Livingston Bailey said he was delighted to see young people participating in the course. He said they brought vibrancy and enthusiasm to the sessions. An advocate of succession planning, Bailey said the new refs would enhance Cayman's representation at the FIFA international level within the next three to five years.

Shanelle Frederick, Chelsea Brown and Kaela Ebanks were the three women to get their certificates which Bailey said would also enhance their interpretation of the laws of the game fostering a more positive environment with on field match officials when they are playing.

With the implementation of new FIFA regulations on the Organization of Refereeing in all FIFA Member Associations as at the 1st April 2011, Bailey added that the CIFA Refereeing Department is channelling its focus on the development of all sectors of refereeing.
He said special emphasis will be geared to the development of young referees by giving them the opportunities to officiate in grassroots and youth competitions, to enhance their skills and prepare them for the advanced levels of competitions.

“This process will indeed bring steady maturity to their development and create the gateway for their advancement to the FIFA International Panels where they can represent their country as great ambassadors,” Bailey said in a release from CIFA.

The presentation ceremony was held at CIFA Office on Wednesday 11 July where certificates were presented to the successful participants by one of Cayman's football pioneer and member of CIFA Referee Committee, Lenny Hew. Also receiving his certificate was Kenroy Willis, who successfully completed his referee basic training in December 2011.