Roberts responds to concerns about refs

Western Bureau: With not even a single member on the current 2011-12 National Premier League (NPL) referees panel, stakeholders in St James' football are now bemoaning the fact that what was once a cherished aspect of the parish's football appears to be in ruins.

Speaking at the recent St James Football Association (StJFA) Guardian Life/Captain's Bakery & Grill end-of-season presentation ceremony, the association's president, Texchus Nembhard, a former referee, said he was unhappy with the current state of officiating in the parish, arguing that it has fallen off the national radar.

However, in response to the concerns, chairman of the St James Referees Group (StJRG), Garfield Roberts, said there was no reason to be worried as his organisation was only going through a period of transition, which he expects them to emerge from before long.

transitional phase

"We are in a transitional phase, the older referees are bowing out and the younger ones are not yet up to the required standard for the premier league," said Roberts. "We have a number of promising young referees, who are being groomed at the Under-21. Hopefully, they will be ready for the NPL level before long."

While noting that his organisation was having difficulty attracting new members to his dwindling 18-member group, Roberts said that the six to seven youngsters who joined the group recently had the requisite qualities to go far.

"Recruiting continues to be a problem because a lot of person who would like to become members of the group are turned off by the abuse regularly directed at referees," said Roberts. "We know that there are many teachers, especially those with a background in physical education, who would do well as referees, but they are not prepared to face the abuse."

In the 1980s and 1990s, St James was full of top-flight referees, with the likes of renowned sports personality Steve Bucknor, who was a FIFA referee, Owen Saams, Douglas Prout, Raymond Williams, Winston Williams and Alva Gordon, among others.

"It is a lot easier for a young referee today, because the route to becoming a FIFA referee is not as tough as in former years," said Roberts. "One only needs to look at young Valdin Legister, from Westmoreland, who is making a name for himself at the Caribbean level."

According to Roberts, persons wishing to become referees should not be intimidated as, while there is no guarantee there will not be abuse, with hard work, commitment and the right aptitude, one could become a FIFA referee before long.

"We have a very good training programme. Last Saturday morning, we had referee instructors Victor Stewart and Dennis Thorburn at our weekly training session," said Roberts. "We have a lot of faith in what we are doing, so I am sure we will be back where we were before long."