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Right on, Everton
MONTEGO BAY
Chairman of the We s t e r n Confederation, Everton Tomlinson, has done the right thing by calling a meeting of his organisation, the Western Referees Group, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and the Jamaica Football Referees Association (JFRA) before the start of the new season set for next month.
Last season ended acrimoniously as the Western Confederation’s executive and the WRG were at odds over the decision by the Confed to bring in referees from outside the region to officiate the semi-finals and finals.
The local whistle blowers had insisted that they had done the games from the start and deserved the right to see the season through. They insisted the Confed executives were not telling the truth when they said they had always used “outside referees” in the latter part of the season.
From all indications, the bitter impasse has not been settled as both sides continue to throw verbal barbs.
It is hoped that a meeting with both parties, mediated by not just the national referees group but also by the JFF, would go a far way in settling any outstanding issues and set the foundation for a good season.
At least three of the four parishes in the Western Confederation — Trelawny, Hanover and Westmoreland — have always invited referees from the other parishes to officiate in the leagues when it gets to the latter stages.
Also, the last three seasons saw the JFF using semi-finals and finals to decide their National Premier League (NPL) teams. They also invited referees from overseas to oversee the games.
This is not to say the officials who had participated in the games all season long were not competent, but it went a far way in limiting or completely eradicating any complaints about partiality or familiarity by the local officials.
Understandably, both parties are firm in their convictions but it is hoped they will put aside their differences long enough to ensure that football wins.
The Western Confederation’s Super League is not a joke and must be treated with the respect it deserves. The Super League is two tiers below the NPL and it is hard enough as it is for the new teams to adjust to the “big times”. They do not need any additional burdens.
While I am on the topic of refereeing, it is good to see Hanover getting a new batch of young officials who just recently passed their exams and who have received their badges.
Hanover has long lagged behind the other three parishes in club and adult football, and this move is sure to inject some new life into their leagues.
Previously, the Hanover FA had to rely heavily on referees from St James and Westmoreland to complete their season but it is hoped that these new recruits will adapt quickly and help the association lessen their costs during the season.
Hanover still has a lot of work to do to raise the standard of their club league as despite the success of Rusea’s High in the daCosta Cup, they have never really been a factor in national club football.
MONTEGO BAY
Chairman of the We s t e r n Confederation, Everton Tomlinson, has done the right thing by calling a meeting of his organisation, the Western Referees Group, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and the Jamaica Football Referees Association (JFRA) before the start of the new season set for next month.
Last season ended acrimoniously as the Western Confederation’s executive and the WRG were at odds over the decision by the Confed to bring in referees from outside the region to officiate the semi-finals and finals.
The local whistle blowers had insisted that they had done the games from the start and deserved the right to see the season through. They insisted the Confed executives were not telling the truth when they said they had always used “outside referees” in the latter part of the season.
From all indications, the bitter impasse has not been settled as both sides continue to throw verbal barbs.
It is hoped that a meeting with both parties, mediated by not just the national referees group but also by the JFF, would go a far way in settling any outstanding issues and set the foundation for a good season.
At least three of the four parishes in the Western Confederation — Trelawny, Hanover and Westmoreland — have always invited referees from the other parishes to officiate in the leagues when it gets to the latter stages.
Also, the last three seasons saw the JFF using semi-finals and finals to decide their National Premier League (NPL) teams. They also invited referees from overseas to oversee the games.
This is not to say the officials who had participated in the games all season long were not competent, but it went a far way in limiting or completely eradicating any complaints about partiality or familiarity by the local officials.
Understandably, both parties are firm in their convictions but it is hoped they will put aside their differences long enough to ensure that football wins.
The Western Confederation’s Super League is not a joke and must be treated with the respect it deserves. The Super League is two tiers below the NPL and it is hard enough as it is for the new teams to adjust to the “big times”. They do not need any additional burdens.
While I am on the topic of refereeing, it is good to see Hanover getting a new batch of young officials who just recently passed their exams and who have received their badges.
Hanover has long lagged behind the other three parishes in club and adult football, and this move is sure to inject some new life into their leagues.
Previously, the Hanover FA had to rely heavily on referees from St James and Westmoreland to complete their season but it is hoped that these new recruits will adapt quickly and help the association lessen their costs during the season.
Hanover still has a lot of work to do to raise the standard of their club league as despite the success of Rusea’s High in the daCosta Cup, they have never really been a factor in national club football.
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