With a strong commitment towards further developing all areas and faculties in the sport of football, the Anguilla Football Association held a four-day referee course at the Raymond E. H. Guishard Technical Center from January 10th to 13th.
The course comprised 25 registered participants who successfully completed the training. It was primarily focused on introducing young aspiring referees to the laws of the game, while serving as a refresher course for already experienced referees. It also addressed recent amendments to the laws of the game as of 2018/19. Concacaf Referee Instructor, Mr. Victor Stewart of Jamaica, facilitated the course.
Given that referees play a vital role in football, the course not only added to the continued development of the sport on the island. It also provided an avenue of career opportunities for young and aspiring referees in Anguilla, throughout the region and further aboard.
The four-day sessions were very much engaging and interactive. It provided an in-depth learning of the laws of the game, guidelines and procedures towards becoming a referee. There were also video analysis exercises and a final exam to test the participants’ knowledge of all the areas covered by the course.
On the final day of the course, the participants were engaged in an on field practical session where they briefly put into practice some of what they learnt such as signaling and assistant referee procedures on the football field.
Instructor Victor Stewart stated the he was very much pleased with the response and turn out of participants and the diversity of both young and old. He encouraged the participants to continue to work hard to improve the quality and strive hard to become FIFA referees in the near future. Mr. Stewart noted that he was very impressed with the facilities and appreciative of the effort being made in Anguilla and as such, he wishes the Anguilla Football Association all its best.
During the certificate presentation, President of the Anguilla Football Association, Mr. Raymond Guishard, noted that one of the association’s aim is to eventually have a FIFA qualified referee as soon as possible and though it may take a couple years to achieve that, it will bring a lot more opportunities to the island, including individuals who aspire towards becoming a FIFA referee and this course is only just the beginning. Mr. Guishard went on to thanked all the participants and noted that it will not be easy for those who commit on the path towards becoming a FIFA referee, but the association is committed to providing as many opportunities to facilitate it.
Currently, arrangements are already on the way to ensure that preparations continue so that referees in Anguilla can continue to receive weekly training to gain fitness, experience and improve the quality of officiating on the island.
