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Guyanese female FIFA Referee officiates at Disney Soccer Showcase
By Franklin Wilson
Guyana female FIFA Referee Nicola Joseph has successfully officiated at the Disney Soccer Showcase tournament in United States of America, between December 27, 2013 and January 3, 2014.
Joseph, who has been improving with every game, officiated in the final of the boy’s Under-17 competition on December 30th as well as the final of the girls Under18/19 tournament on Friday last.
FIFA Referee Nicola Joseph (right) shares a light moment with FIFA and US Referee, Christina Unkel
Rated as the #1 youth tournament in the USA, the Disney Soccer Showcase attracted in the boys segment, 336 teams with 580 games played between December 27 – 30 while among for girls, some 325 teams and 574 games were contested between December 31st 2013 and January 3rd, 2014.
Most of the games were played at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Orlando, Florida, while matches were also held at North East Regional Park and Austin Tindall Regional Park Orlando, Florida.
Joseph, speaking with Kaieteur Sport disclosed that whilst officiating at the USA Cup in July of 2013 she was approached by a state referee who was impressed by her performance and subsequently invited to officiate at the Disney Soccer Showcase.
Joseph noted that she was actually invited to do a tournament in August in the USA but couldn’t attend but recommended her FIFA colleagues, Stanley Lancaster, Cynette Jeffrey and Nykasie Liverpool, who attended. The young Guyanese official was also invited to the Surf College Cup in California in November 2013 but couldn’t make it due to other assignments.
“This was my first time at the Disney tournament and it was a great experience. I worked with FIFA and Professional Referees as well as up and coming Referees. I was also invited to be part of their Referee Academy Training where I as privileged to assist younger referees.”
Former FIFA and Guyanese Referee Dianne Ferreira-James is also known by some of the Assessors at the tournament where Joseph said she also met Christina Unkel who joined FIFA List as a Referee in 2013.
Adverse weather hampered the smooth flow of the Academy but Joseph said that despite the cold weather, the experience was very good noting that training was no different to what obtains in Guyana.
“I will definitely come back to do more tournaments in the USA since you learn every day. More experience is better especially in different countries, different environments and different conditions.”
Looking ahead to what 2014 has to offer, Joseph stated that there are two FIFA World Cups, the Women Under-17 slated for March in Costa Rica and the Under-20 set for August in Canada, apart from other FIFA tournaments.
“If I am able to make it to any of the two World Cups this year I will be happy, if not, I have time to continue working harder to become even more competent. I officiated at the Under-20 World Cup Qualifiers that were held in Jamaica in July and the Under-17 Qualifiers in Dominican Republic in August, last year.”
Joseph confidently noted, “No pain, no gain, I will definitely be working harder this year.”
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