The National Referees Committee (NRC) of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) in conjunction with the Guyana Football Referees Council (GFRC) successfully completed a Beginners Referees Course in Linden last weekend at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) pavilion.
Six (6) persons, inclusive of four females commenced but only five managed to complete. However all of the participants, who were taken through their paces by chairman of the NRC Lawrence Griffith, were successful.
Topping the class was female corporal of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Maurees Skeete who recorded an 82% pass grade, followed by 18 year old Kevin Stephens of Wisburg Secondary School with 76%.
The other successful participants were former national Junior athlete 21 year old Shonette Mc Farlane who is now a student of IDCE, female basketball player, 17 year old Minnifia Fox and 14 year old Shannon Griffith who is also an athlete and student of Christiansburg/ Wismar Multilateral Secon – dary School.
The fitness run came off as planned and the Upper Demerara Referees took to the streets and ran from the MSC sports club to the 5th corner up Republic Avenue, to the Band Stand then back to the place of origin for the finish.
The first person to complete the run in 8.58 minutes was FIFA assistant referee Abdool Hamid, who was closely followed by Rollin Tappin who completed the journey in nine minutes.
Referee Stanley Lancaster came in next in a time of 9.20 minutes, with Franklyn Brisport Luke (10:05), Lindley Langhorne (10:25) and Felix Inniss (10:30) finishing in that order, with the lone female, Runada Floris ending in the cellar position in a time of 14.05 minutes.
According to Griffith, he was expecting a better turn out from the mining community for such an event.
“We had some commitments from some persons who wanted to become referees and referees assistants, but they never showed up. Some of them even promised to come on the second day of the course, but they did not do so.”
‘However, we were happy to work with who was present, even if we have to work with three persons. Some persons wanted to do the course, but they are afraid of the verbal abuse which would be levied their way when they are doing matches” said Griffith.
A beginner’s course will be held in Essequibo next weekend under the tutorship of Griffith, whilst courses are also slated for West Demerara, East Demerara, Bartica, East Bank, and Lethem.
According to Griffith, who took referees such as Dion Inniss, Venton Mars, and top female FIFA accredited referee Nykasie Liverpool, Georgetown and Berbice held courses earlier in the year. (Calvin Roberts)
