C’bean Women’s Match Officials’ Course kicks off in Guyana

The Caribbean Football Union, in collaboration with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), officially launched the Caribbean Women’s Match Officials’ Course on Friday at Parc Rayne at Rahaman’s Park, Greater Georgetown.
Day one of the three-day programme brought together female match officials from several Caribbean nations to participate in advanced physical and theoretical training. The opening sessions featured intensive fitness assessments alongside classroom instruction focusing on the laws of the game.

Held under the theme “Give to Gain”, the initiative – being hosted in Guyana for the first time – aims to empower, educate, and elevate female referees across the Caribbean. The course brings together officials currently listed on the FIFA International Referees List alongside emerging referees from the host nation, providing a platform for knowledge sharing and professional development.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, General Secretary of the Guyana Football Federation, Pushpargha Chattopadhyay, emphasised the significance of the programme and the need to strengthen recognition for match officials.
“When we talk about a new generation of officials coming up, it’s imperative that all governing bodies – GFF, CFU, Concacaf and FIFA – focus on ensuring that those who officiate the game receive their due. The CFU Give to Gain programme gives the due relevance to the bright and best officials of the Caribbean region in their development and growth.”

Fitness instructor Keisha Antoine of Antigua and Barbuda encouraged participants to fully engage in the learning experience.
“We are here to help you, to give our knowledge in the hope that you gain, and in return you will give to someone else in your country.”
Introduced in 2025, the programme seeks to strengthen female match officials’ technical competence, professional identity, and support networks while positioning them for greater regional and international appointments.
Over the course of the programme, participants will cover core refereeing competencies, including the Laws of the Game, positioning, match management, and the psychology of officiating. Additional sessions will also address communication, leadership, branding, mentorship, wellness, and empowerment.
The Caribbean Women’s Match Officials’ Course represents a continued commitment by regional football stakeholders to expand opportunities for women in officiating and to support their progression within the international refereeing pathway.