Though the Cayman Islands Football Association ‘CIFA’ provided a stipend for referees participating in the senior men’s, women’s and youth leagues over the past decade they will this season make a concerted effort to substantially increase that compensation. The projected budget for referee compensations over the 2005-2006 football season comes in just under $30,000.00.
With a view to raising the standard of referees in the Cayman Islands the CIFA in conjunction with the Cayman Islands Referees’ Association scheduled and completed referees beginners and refresher courses dated September 12th-22nd and October 3-5th respectively. The refresher course is to be followed by an intense fitness evaluation test as stipulated by FIFA, ensuring the highest quality in referees for the new season.
The stipend which goes towards defraying referee’s travel, laundry and replacement costs for each match is also meant to be an incentive for their time away from family and other personal activities, especially on weekends.
With a senior league season that generally runs for 33 weeks between September and May each year, plus youth matches on weekdays for an additional eighteen weeks, referees more than have their hands full. Under 23 and Under 12 summer youth leagues have just this year been added to the list of CIFA events. Referees will be needed to officiate these matches as well. ‘Referees are the life line of the game… yes a match is going nowhere without competing teams and coaches but it is equally handicapped if quality officials are unavailable,’ commented CIFA President Jeff Webb. ‘We want to ensure that they are rewarded in some way, however small, for their contribution to football’s continued development in these Islands.’
The Association which is currently facing a shortage of quality and available referees has twenty five active referees and assistants listed. Five new referees have recently been added to the list for Grand Cayman after completing the beginners’ course in September, while seven have been added in Cayman Brac between February and September 2005.
The Cayman Islands Referees’ Association is a non-profit organization in search of sponsors for their various programs. Interested individuals and organizations may contact the CIFA office at 949-5775 or [email protected] for information on how they may become involved.
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