Forde declares open GFF Referees Course facilitated by Dianne Ferreira-James

Aug 08, 2021 Sports

By Franklin Wilson

Kaieteur News – President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Wayne Forde yesterday officially declared open a two-day Referees Course which is being facilitated Guyanese born and former FIFA Referee now Head of Referring at the Bahamas Football Association, a Referee Assessor and Instructor, Dianne Ferreira-James.
Some 30 Referees (female and male) are participating in the Course which will conclude today at the GFF National Training Centre, the first programme of its kind to be held at the facility.

GFF President Wayne Forde (seated center) flanked by Dianne Ferreira-James (right) and GFF Head of Referring Dion Inniss take time out for a photo with participants and Instructors yesterday at eh GFF National Training Centre. (Franklin Wilson photo)

Just off her debut as an Elite Referee Assessor at the Concacaf Gold Cup which ended in the USA on Sunday last where she served as the Referee Assessor in the final between the host nation and Mexico, Ferreira-James, a Bartician like President Forde, said she was elated to be able to give back to the sport that she loves.
“From my heart, I am here to give you the best I can to prepare you for your next course that is coming up shortly.”
She also told the participants that she is well aware that Guyana has talented officials and she wants to see them back in numbers on the FIFA list but they must display the commitment and love for the sport which can propel them to great heights.
“It starts with you, what can you do to help yourself get better? Anything else that you get outside of that would be a bonus. So for the next two days, we’ll be one family, interacting, learning the laws of the game. At the end if the session, you’ll leave here at least knowing something more than what you came with.”
President Forde in declaring open the Course said it was a moment of celebration for all stakeholders with the Referees being one of the most important arms of the stakeholder group.
“This is also an accomplishment for you, that you should feel proud to speak about in the public and to your friends because four years ago, we did not have this, and what you are seeing here is just the beginning of what this venue will eventually evolve to. It’s a proud moment for all of us.”
Noting that the current times are truly unprecedented with the continued challenges being faced as a result of the covid-19 pandemic which has new strains around, Forde stated that since March 2020, everyone would not have been able to do what they loved to do, being involved in the game at a competitive level.

Dianne Ferreira-James during her opening remarks. (Franklin Wilson photo)

Forde posited that the course presented an opportunity for a new beginning: “We are at a state where we can simply reset the clock in every aspect of how we want to run the game, grow the game in Guyana.”
Participants were challenged to learn as much as they can from the former top Guyana, Concacaf and FIFA Referee whilst focusing on their duty to protect the integrity of the game on and off the field of play.
Head of the GFF Referees Department, Dion Inniss said he was elated to have Ms. Ferreira-James back home to kick off preparations for the next RAP Course set for later this month. He stated that the Course would have been in the pipeline for some time now.
“Ms Ferreira-James is always looking for ways of contributing to referees development in Guyana and we are happy to have her here to share the latest knowledge in this very important aspect of the sport.”
Inniss, himself a former FIFA Assistant Referee noted that the programme is timely as they are anticipating a re-start to competitive football in the not too distant future.
“We are preparing so this is ideal. We haven’t met in person since 2019 so this activity which has attracted our top officials from all over Guyana is most welcome.”

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News