CFU and GFF to host Match Officials Course for Caribbean Women Referees

PRESS RELEASE || The Caribbean Football Union (CFU), through its Referees Committee and Secretariat, in collaboration with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), will host the ‘Give to Gain’ Course for Caribbean Women Referees from March 6-8, 2026, at the Guyana National Stadium.

The three-day capacity-building initiative is designed to empower, educate, and elevate female match officials across the Caribbean, bringing together referees on the FIFA International List alongside emerging officials from the host nation.

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 three days, participants will engage in a blend of theoretical instruction, physical training, personal development, and leadership activities aimed at enhancing both on-field performance and off-field influence.

The course will cover core refereeing competencies, including the laws of the game, positioning, match management, and the psychology of officiating. Sessions will also hone in on communication, leadership, branding, mentorship, wellness and empowerment.

‘Give to Gain’ builds on the success of the ‘Accelerate Action- Caribbean Match Officials Course’ hosted by the CFU in March 2025 in Antigua and Barbuda in partnership with the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA), with support from FIFA, Concacaf, and UN Women MCO–Caribbean.

That landmark initiative brought together 26 female match officials from across the region for elite-level technical training and personal development activities, including panel discussions, wellness sessions, workshops on professionalism and branding, and recognition of international appointees.

Wayne Forde, President of the GFF, said, “This programme is more than refereeing, it’s about empowering women to lead, excel and make their mark on Caribbean football. Th Guyana Football Federation is proud to support initiatives that open doors and build confidence for the next generation of female match officials.”

A total of 30 participants, 11 of which are officials representing Guyana, will take part in the three-day event, guided by instructional teams led by Amara Felix-Toussaint from Trinidad and Tobago; Kelesha Antoine and Mickel Branna-Challenger from Antigua and Barbuda; Guyanese Diane Ferreira-James now based in the Bahamas; Rohan Thobourne from Jamaica; and Natasha Lewis and Lenval Peart from Guyana, alongside facilitators from other countries.

The course, which coincides with International Women’s Day on March 8, specifically targets women on the FIFA International Refereeing List as well as promising emerging referees from the host country.

By addressing challenges unique to female officials and celebrating the achievements of Caribbean pioneers in officiating, the initiative aims to elevate performance standards, expand representation, and foster unity and collegiality among women in refereeing.