TTFA Commits to Excellence in Officiating

TTFA Commits to Excellence in Officiating: Successful Conclusion of MA Referees Course 2024

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has reaffirmed its commitment to the development and excellence of football officiating at both the international and local levels with the successful completion of the MA Referees Course 2024.

Held at the Technical Centre of the “Home of Football” facilities in Couva from Wednesday, July 24th to Sunday, July 28th, the course brought together 35 referees and assistant referees from across Trinidad and Tobago.

Under the leadership of Mr. Joseph Taylor, Head of the Refereeing Department, the course featured esteemed instructors including Mr. Javier Santos, Referees’ Development Officer for the Caribbean; Mr. Peter Prendergast, FIFA Technical Instructor; and Mr. Allan Brown Morgan, FIFA Fitness Instructor.

Their expertise provided participants with in-depth training through a combination of classroom sessions, field exercises, and a rigorous fitness test conducted on Thursday, July 25th.

The participants, a diverse group representing both genders and various levels of experience, included Cecile Hinds, Carissa Douglas, Andrew Samuel, Nathalya Williams, Akil Weekes, Charlize Hood, N’Neeka Harewood, CJ O’Brien, Jordan Cox, Joel Cox, Marlon Peruse, Kevin Smart, Adam Singh, Ayodele Cudjoe, Johann Corneille, Keron Myers, Kimya James, Miguel Joseph, Noel Moore, Odile Brewster, Shash Ramroop, Yarin Gosine, Anil Joseph, Jedidiah Martineaux, Shawn Gonzales, Jaden Parris, Josiah Parris, Keilon Bacchus, Keon Yorke, Jerome McIntyre, Roshan Baliram, Kyle Crichlow, Kevern Clarke, and Khalil Johnson.

The TTFA recognizes the critical role that referees play in maintaining the integrity and quality of football matches. As such, the Association is dedicated to providing ongoing education and training to ensure that local referees meet the highest standards of officiating, comparable to international benchmarks.

Presentations during the course were also delivered by Ms. Allison Boney-McDonald, MA Technical Instructor; Mr. Mentor Baptiste, MA Technical Instructor; and Mr. Nigel Bailey, MA Fitness Instructor. Their contributions were instrumental in equipping the referees with the technical knowledge and physical conditioning necessary to excel in their roles.

The course was further bolstered by visits and addresses from key TTFA officials, including Mr. Kareem Paul, General Secretary, and Mr. Osmond Downer, 2nd Vice President of the TTFA and Chairman of the Referees Committee. Their presence underscored the Association’s unwavering support for the continuous development of referees in Trinidad and Tobago.

As the TTFA continues to prioritize the growth and development of football in the nation, the Association remains steadfast in its commitment to nurturing and advancing the skills of our referees. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to elevate the standard of football officiating across all levels, ensuring that both local and international matches are officiated with the highest degree of professionalism and fairness.