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J'can-born female ref makes FIFA list
BY BEV MELBOURNE Observer writer
Thursday, November 10, 2011
JAMAICAN-BORN Carline Reid-Willis created history in the Cayman Islands as the first female referee to represent the islands on the FIFA list in January 2012.
This came after her successes during the RAP Course conducted recently by FIFA Instructors Peter Prendergast and Ramesh Ramdhan in George Town, Grand Cayman.
REID-WILLIS... FIFA is not for the men only; there are numerous opportunities for women
According to president of the Cayman Islands Football Association, Jeffrey Webb, "Women were always involved in refereeing in the Cayman Islands."
"We have had some excellent female referees in the past. They have set the trend, but Reid-Willis has taken it to the highest level due to her commitment to training hard and her passion for the game.
"She is definitely a trendsetter at this level and has opened the door for the advancement of female referees in the Cayman Islands," said Webb.
Reid-Willis, a teacher by profession, was born in St Elizabeth and attended Black River High where she met her mentor, former FIFA referee Victor Stewart who was head of the PE department.
Stewart is retired and is now a FIFA referee assessor.
"Victor Stewart drew my attention as one of the best FIFA referees to have graced the football fields of Jamaica as well as internationally.
"He was a mentor for me during my school years at the Black River High School where he was head of the PE department," Reid-Willis explained.
"I played football as a goalkeeper while attending GC Foster College... where I did a certificate in coaching, a teacher's diploma and a bachelor's degree in Physical Education.
"I'm an enthusiastic sports person who played hockey and netball for fun, but took football very seriously and eventually donned the national colours, representing Jamaica on the Under-23 national team in goal," she informed.
Reid-Willis was out of the game for a while due to the birth of her son. She migrated to the Cayman Islands in 2008 on a contract to teach at the John Gray High School.
It was there that she met Nolan Foster, a FIFA referee and head fitness instructor of the Referees Group in the Cayman Islands.
Foster knew Reid-Willis' football history and encouraged her to attend a course advertised by the Cayman Islands FA/Cayman Islands Referee Association who were seeking new male and female referees and assistant referees.
He convinced her to attend the course and she was successful in both the theoretical and practical aspects.
However, according to Reid-Willis, the greatest challenges were yet to come as she participated in two RAP Courses staged by FIFA Referee Instructors Prendergast and Ramdan.
As a result of motivation from the members of the referees group and in particular, Foster, she was successful in both courses and was placed on the FIFA list for 2012.
"Foster was a tough fitness instructor who taught me never to say 'I can't'. He was a dedicated FIFA Referee and friend who constantly emphasised... the importance of training hard, highlighting the fact that fitness was the main criteria for getting on the FIFA list...," Reid said.
According to Reid Willis, reaching this level was not easy. She is encouraging other women who have an interest in refereeing to train hard and receive their reward at the highest level.
"FIFA is not for the men only, there are numerous refereeing opportunities available internationally for women. Come out, do the referee courses and discipline yourselves to train hard, that is all it takes," she implored.
Meanwhile Stewart, when contacted by telephone, said he was not the least bit surprised when he heard of Reid-Willis's success, pointing out that with her ability, he was expecting her to be at that level before.
"I am not surprised that Carline made it on the FIFA list. She has always had the ability and motivation to work towards the goal of becoming a FIFA Referee from an early age. It was just a matter of time before it happened...," said Stewart.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport...#ixzz1dNhTG385
BY BEV MELBOURNE Observer writer
Thursday, November 10, 2011
JAMAICAN-BORN Carline Reid-Willis created history in the Cayman Islands as the first female referee to represent the islands on the FIFA list in January 2012.
This came after her successes during the RAP Course conducted recently by FIFA Instructors Peter Prendergast and Ramesh Ramdhan in George Town, Grand Cayman.
REID-WILLIS... FIFA is not for the men only; there are numerous opportunities for women
According to president of the Cayman Islands Football Association, Jeffrey Webb, "Women were always involved in refereeing in the Cayman Islands."
"We have had some excellent female referees in the past. They have set the trend, but Reid-Willis has taken it to the highest level due to her commitment to training hard and her passion for the game.
"She is definitely a trendsetter at this level and has opened the door for the advancement of female referees in the Cayman Islands," said Webb.
Reid-Willis, a teacher by profession, was born in St Elizabeth and attended Black River High where she met her mentor, former FIFA referee Victor Stewart who was head of the PE department.
Stewart is retired and is now a FIFA referee assessor.
"Victor Stewart drew my attention as one of the best FIFA referees to have graced the football fields of Jamaica as well as internationally.
"He was a mentor for me during my school years at the Black River High School where he was head of the PE department," Reid-Willis explained.
"I played football as a goalkeeper while attending GC Foster College... where I did a certificate in coaching, a teacher's diploma and a bachelor's degree in Physical Education.
"I'm an enthusiastic sports person who played hockey and netball for fun, but took football very seriously and eventually donned the national colours, representing Jamaica on the Under-23 national team in goal," she informed.
Reid-Willis was out of the game for a while due to the birth of her son. She migrated to the Cayman Islands in 2008 on a contract to teach at the John Gray High School.
It was there that she met Nolan Foster, a FIFA referee and head fitness instructor of the Referees Group in the Cayman Islands.
Foster knew Reid-Willis' football history and encouraged her to attend a course advertised by the Cayman Islands FA/Cayman Islands Referee Association who were seeking new male and female referees and assistant referees.
He convinced her to attend the course and she was successful in both the theoretical and practical aspects.
However, according to Reid-Willis, the greatest challenges were yet to come as she participated in two RAP Courses staged by FIFA Referee Instructors Prendergast and Ramdan.
As a result of motivation from the members of the referees group and in particular, Foster, she was successful in both courses and was placed on the FIFA list for 2012.
"Foster was a tough fitness instructor who taught me never to say 'I can't'. He was a dedicated FIFA Referee and friend who constantly emphasised... the importance of training hard, highlighting the fact that fitness was the main criteria for getting on the FIFA list...," Reid said.
According to Reid Willis, reaching this level was not easy. She is encouraging other women who have an interest in refereeing to train hard and receive their reward at the highest level.
"FIFA is not for the men only, there are numerous refereeing opportunities available internationally for women. Come out, do the referee courses and discipline yourselves to train hard, that is all it takes," she implored.
Meanwhile Stewart, when contacted by telephone, said he was not the least bit surprised when he heard of Reid-Willis's success, pointing out that with her ability, he was expecting her to be at that level before.
"I am not surprised that Carline made it on the FIFA list. She has always had the ability and motivation to work towards the goal of becoming a FIFA Referee from an early age. It was just a matter of time before it happened...," said Stewart.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport...#ixzz1dNhTG385
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