BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THIRTY referees in St. Kitts and Nevis are having an opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge of the game through a FIFA-sponsored one-week Referee Course.
The course, which forms part of FIFA’s new thrust in improving the performance of referees, began on Monday (Jan: 17) at Warner Park and is being conducted by FIFA’s Development Instructor Ramesh Ramdahn and FIFA’s Referee Course Instructor Peter Prendergast.
General Secretary of the St. Kitts and Nevis Football Association (SKNFA) Stanley Jacobs said that the association had made representation to have some 19 courses staged in the Federation for this year. He also said that they have been leading the charge in terms of requests within the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) and “this speaks volumes for what the SKNFA has been embarking upon in terms of developing the sport of football here in St. Kitts and Nevis”.
This, he said is one of his association’s objectives, and in order for them to do so “we recognise that training is a critical component for the development of football”.
Jacobs said the association remains committed to the development of the Federation’s referees and noted that evidence of this lies in the current training course. He also said that discussion has already begun with FIFA officials in making training workshops and courses an annual event in the Federation.
Jacobs said he is very pleased that FIFA continues to work with the SKNFA and that the relationship has greatly assisted the local organisation in its plans to improve the standard of refereeing.
President of the SKNFA Anthony Johnson said he is profoundly grateful for the partnership and informed that this it is the second referee course to be conducted in the Federation in as many years.
“I want to thank them for the knowledge that they have implemented in the past and what will be implemented in the next few days,” he said.
Repeating a statement recently made by FIFA’s President Stepp Blatter, Johnson said, “Coaches are professionals now, and so are players; so there is no reason why referees should not be.”
Johnson said even though the SKNFA does not yet have any semi-professional or professional league, they regard this course as being very important in achieving greater professionalism in every aspect of the sport.
Johnson noted that just a week ago he, his General Secretary and Technical Director had attended a professional management training course in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He said the course was very important as FIFA continues on its path of lifting professionalism among the football fraternity.
“It was agreed, coming out of that course, that they would be next in line to participate in the professionalism programme for FIFA. So on February 21 this year a number of officials will be in the Federation with a view of examining a number of areas to determine if we can become a part of their professionalism programme,” he said.
Johnson reiterated the importance of the role of referees and stressed that their responsibilities are multipurpose. He added that they need to maintain discipline, uphold the laws of the game, to be a mediator, keeping peace and, above all, to promote fair play.
Johnson spoke about the urgency of referees keeping themselves up to date with the ever changing policies and rules of the sport. “It is very important also that you remain mentality alert at all times and to remain physically fit so that you can perform your duties professionally at all times.”
He told the 30 participants that he is cognisant that their role of being a referee remains very difficult and that they are constantly open to scrutiny and criticism from players and also the public.
President Johnson reiterated his appeal for referees in the Federation to remain above the fray, adding that this is important when taking into consideration the questionable performances FIFA discovered by a number of referees around the world.
He described the timing of the course as being very important, stating that new changes would be introduced by FIFA on April 1, 2011. He noted that it is being held at a very critical time in the history of refereeing and that a number of issues surrounding the sport need to be addressed.
Johnson added that the SKNFA, like all other FIFA member associations, is currently undergoing significant changes implemented by the world governing body of football.
He issued an appeal to all stakeholders to recognise their role and stated that a number of new mandates would become be in effect from April 1 this year.
“I refer to Article 13 Part 3 1E which has mandated that each association establish a referee committee which is to be directly subordinate to the member association. This shall be compulsory and shall be effective on April 1, 2011. So we have to come to grips with the challenges of change.”
Meanwhile, Prendergast urged the participants to do their best and told them referees must recognise that it is their responsibility to continue focusing on ensuring they remain fit and energetic.
He noted the importance of them their best and stated that when they fail on the field they would have contributed to the destruction of the sport rather than its continued growth and development.
Commenting on the issue of change, Prendergast told the participants that it is important for them to understand their role because that they could not be teacher and student at the same time. “You cannot take the test and mark the paper at the same time, so you are either one or the other…you just can’t do both.”
Prendergast said that refereeing around the world caught centre focus due to what transpired at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. He said the stakes are now higher and “FIFA is putting the instructors under more pressure…the national associations under more pressure to ensure that a higher level of professionalism is displayed not only by the people representing FIFA at international matches but also by those representing FIFA at your own national associations. And as referees, we have to improve on both your application and interpretation”.
The FIFA Instructor declared that the week-long course would be focusing on three primary areas. Those areas, he said, are: techniques, both from the side of assistant and central referees; application and interpretation; and the psychological aspect of refereeing.
He said those areas are very important in lifting the standard of refereeing, while cautioning the participants that they need to ensure they are fit and very disciplined in executing their tasks.
“During this course we will have some challenges where they will be no looking back. In this particular course they will be no looking back. So, let me tell you this, if you are not a part of the solution then you are a part of the problem,” he declared.
Minister of Sport Hon. Glen Phillip noted that referees are an integral part of the field of play, as they play a critical role in the sport of football. “In any sport referees preside over each game with the full authority to enforce the rules of the game. In football the referee’s decision regarding facts connected with play are final.”
Phillip said that the role of referees is tremendously important, noting that it is because of their presence decorum should not be lost on the field of play and the outcome of matches is authentic. “As players and as fans, we accept our wins and losses because referees and linesmen are on hand to enforce the rules of the game,” he added.
