Meet Guyana’s latest FIFA Referee, Sherwin Moore

Mar 13, 2013 Sports

– to officiate at 2013 Dr. Pepper Dallas Cup March 24-31

Guyana’s Referees continues to hold their own at the Caribbean and International levels, maintaining a rich tradition of excelling over the years. A total of 13 Referees are on the 2013 FIFA list and the 36 year-old Sherwin Lennox Moore has joined a privileged list of officials.

Sherwin Moore

Moore was born on July 30, 1976 to father, Edward and mother Joycelyn John now deceased. While he currently resides in Parade Street, Kingston, Moore grew up at Devonshire Castle on the Essequibo Coast with his grandparents.
By profession, Moore is a Civil Engineer and works at the Audit office of Guyana. He is a father of two girls and is married Coretta Moore.
When did you become interested in football?
I became interested in football since I was about 5 years-old, tagging along to different venues with my football playing uncles. I also did ball boy duties on several occasions even during their training sessions.
Those days I even had dreams of one day playing in a World Cup and never knew of all the logistical requirements of qualification and all that. During that dream I had calculated to make my World Cup debut in 1998.
Have you ever played competitive football?
I played football at almost every level, representing Essequibo at Under-13. I was Captain of my High School {Anna Regina Multilateral} during the days of the Coca Cola tournament and other school tournaments. I represented the Essequibo Football Association (EFA) at the senior level, but my best playing years came at University of Guyana as Captain under Coach Jorge Ramos.
How did you become involved in Refereeing?
During the period 2000 to 2003 I functioned as the Assistant Secretary of the EFA and moved up to the position of Secretary while I was working on the Essequibo Coast. That led to me completing the Referee’s Beginner Course in 2001 and I started officiating since there was a need for referee’s in Essequibo.
A second move to the city in 2003 saw me making an effort to restart my playing career and commenced training with the Beacons Football Club. But with work commitments, and later a family, playing football competitively was eventually cast aside.
In 2009 I was encouraged by a good friend, Mark Young, who was then a FIFA Referee to get involved again since I had some prior knowledge of both the game and refereeing. Well I did just that and completed a refresher course, and here I am today.
What do you like about Refereeing?
I’ve always been a fitness enthusiast; I am a great fan of the sport of football but most of all I love the healthy lifestyle of refereeing. It causes me to train or do something active four to five times a week. I look at what I eat and how I eat in order to stay fit because being a Referee is physically demanding. It still gives me the opportunity to be on the pitch and close to the action which I really enjoyed over the years.
What goals do you have as a FIFA Referee?
My short term goals are to learn as much as I can of the art of refereeing. For those of us who are referees, we know how challenging it can be sometimes and what it takes to become one of the top officials in the Caribbean. Long term, I am looking to be an Elite Referee in CONCACAF with the ultimate goal being to officiate at the finals of a FIFA tournament.
What Regrets do you have thus far?
My biggest regret is not continuing with officiating after I first started back in 2001 and waiting until 2009 to restart my career. So, on that note I want to encourage youths who are interested in being referees to pick up refereeing now since your opportunity is much greater starting young. It is a way to live a healthy lifestyle and it also teaches discipline, tolerance and commitment.
Who would you like to thank?
First of all I will like to thank Almighty God for giving me the strength and affording me the opportunity to take part in this wonderful sport. I will also like to thank my family for their support over the years.
Refereeing is very demanding in terms of time and my wife has been very supportive and helpful even giving refereeing tips. Sometimes I referee on Christmas day, New Years Day, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. I would also like to thank the local instructors for their input and my fellow colleagues who will share knowledge from time to time.
Some of the games and tournaments that Moore has refereed in are: The Inter Guiana’s Cup – 2012 opening match in Suriname. The Digicel School’s competition Finals – 2011 and 2012. The Kashif and Shanghai third place game in the 2012/13 tournament and the Amerindian Heritage Month competition championships game, last year.
Moore’s rise and exposure will continue when he officiates at the Dr. Pepper Dallas Cup that takes place in Dallas, Texas from March 24-31, 2013. He was invited by CONCACAF to be a part of the tournament.
Congratulations to Sherwin Moore on this latest appointment.