TTFA hosts FIFA MA Referees course
TTFA Refereeing Department Completes FIFA MA Referees Course 2026
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association’s Refereeing Department successfully completed its MA Referees Course 2026 from August 5-9, as part of its continued effort to strengthen the development and performance of match officials across the country.
The five-day programme brought together a group of FIFA and national referees for a series of technical, physical and practical sessions designed to sharpen their understanding of the modern game and improve their overall performance on the field.
The course also allowed the Refereeing Department to assess the current level of its officials and identify areas for further development as preparations continue for upcoming domestic and international assignments.
Sessions included fitness testing, technical lectures, video analysis, trivia testing and practical field work covering the Laws of the Game, positioning, decision-making and the application of refereeing techniques and procedures.
Technical sessions were held at the Conference Centre at the National Cycling Velodrome, while the field sessions took place at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
The programme was supported by visiting instructors Javier Santos, Referee Development Officer for the English-speaking Caribbean, Joseph Audi, FIFA/Concacaf Technical Instructor, and Erick Samayoa, FIFA/Concacaf Fitness Instructor.
They were joined by local instructors Allison Bone-McDonald, Kevin Lewis, Jaggernath Goolcharan, Mentor Baptiste, Jason O’Connor, Nigel Bailey, Julien Drayton and Oswald Myers.
Among the participants were FIFA-listed officials Cecile Hinds, Timothy Derry, Nathalya Williams, Melissa Nicholas, Carissa Douglas and Keron Myers, together with a number of national referees continuing their progression through the TTFA development pathway.
The full group of participants also included Charlize Hood, Shawn Gonzales, Jerome McIntyre, CJ O’Brien, Jovan Peters, Jordan Cox, Noel Moore, Odile Brewster, Adam Mohammed, Josiah Parris, Ayodele Cudjoe, Yarine Gosine, Philip Liverpool, Kimya James, Lainel Winchester, Miguel Joseph, Johanitan John, Trevin Celestine, Shane Mohammed and Oprah Douglas.
The course concluded with a closing ceremony on Sunday, August 9, attended by TTFA General Secretary Kareem Paul and TTFA Vice President Osmond Downer.
The TTFA also extends its appreciation to the principal and coaching staff of St Benedict’s College, whose football programme provided two teams to assist with the practical field sessions. Their involvement gave the match officials an opportunity to apply their learning in realistic match situations.
The organisation and preparation of the course were coordinated by Joseph Taylor, Head of the TTFA Refereeing Department, as part of the Association’s wider commitment to building a stronger pool of referees capable of operating at the highest possible level.
The Refereeing Department will also begin its next Referees Recruitment Course on Thursday, October 8, 2026, giving new candidates another opportunity to enter the refereeing pathway and begin their development within the national programme.
