Female football official Carline Reid-Willis recently went to Cuba and left a good impression for Cayman Islands football working in her first World Cup matches.
There were three days of games between 7-11 January and Reid-Willis was busy both as a centre referee and as a fourth official in World Cup Women’s Under-20 qualifiers.
“The reception was quite warm, I was met at the airport by Cuban officials,” Reid-Willis said. “The other referees were from Domincan Republic, Mexico, St Lucia and Haiti and we bonded immediately and they all wanted to know about the Cayman Islands.
“I think I did a fairly good job especially for my first international game. Football is highly rated in Cuba, they are seriously passionate about the sport.
“Cuba being the largest Caribbean Island and a known communist society, I was shocked at how high the standard of living was and how healthy and happy the people seemed. I am still amazed at the fact that the exchange rate when matched to the US dollar the Cuban dollar is stronger.
“My next assignment would have been in Canada at the Elite Course put on by FIFA, however, I will not be able to make it. I see the need for more female role models who can be mentors for the youth in the society especially girls. Mentors can have a positive impact on society.”
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