The Montserrat Football Association (MFA), in collaboration with Concacaf, successfully hosted its inaugural Introductory Refereeing Course from Friday, 3rd July to Sunday, 5th July 2026 at the MFA Blakes Complex.
Based on Concacaf records, this was the first-ever referee training course to be held in Montserrat, marking a significant milestone in the development of football officiating on the island.
The three-day programme brought together twenty-five (25) participants, including six (6) females and nineteen (19) males, with approximately 48% of the cohort being under the age of twenty-five (25).
The training comprised of classroom and field-based sessions designed to strengthen the technical capacity of refereeing in Montserrat. The course covered key areas including the Laws of the Game, positioning, decision-making, match management, communication, fitness, coordination and the wider responsibilities of a football referee.
The course was facilitated by Concacaf Refereeing Development Coordinator, Malcolm Ramsey, Support Technical Instructor, Jermaine May, and FIFA Fitness Instructor, Alan Brown. Delivered as a joint initiative between the MFA and Concacaf, the programme provided participants with both theoretical knowledge and practical training specific to the demands of modern match officiating.
Across the three days, participants took part in technical field sessions focused on fitness, coordination, hand gestures, correct flag technique, referee and assistant referee communication, and strategic positioning throughout a match. These sessions were supported by classroom seminars, giving participants the opportunity to reflect on their performance and deepen their understanding of the referee’s role.
The morning of Day Two featured a valuable collaboration between the trainee referees and MFA’s Under-14 players. The trainee referees officiated a friendly match, giving them their first hands-on refereeing experience in a live match environment while receiving real-time guidance and coaching from the Concacaf instructors.
Participants rotated through officiating duties, with particular emphasis on positioning, movement, communication and recognising offences. Mr Ramsey gave positive feedback on the progress shown by the group, noting that the trainee referees were developing steadily and gaining confidence with each session.
Day Two’s seminar then focused on five key types of incidents referees commonly encounter during matches: handball, offside, tactical fouls, penalty area incidents and challenges. The trainee referees were divided into groups and asked to analyse videos of real match situations. Each participant was required to place themselves in the position of the referee and justify their decisions in accordance with the Laws of the Game.
Mr Ramsey explained that this case-study approach is the standard method of referee education across Concacaf. He noted that using real match footage helps trainee referees view incidents from the referee’s perspective, identify the key considerations that support each call and develop consistent decision-making skills rooted in the laws of the game.
Mr Ramsey also commended the quality of the discussions and feedback from the group leaders. He noted that although Montserrat has never had an official referee training programme before, the participants showed strong potential and expressed confidence that the island can produce quality FIFA referees in the future.
As part of the physical component of the course, the trainee referees completed tactical and physical exercises, including the Assistant Referee Intermittent Endurance Test (ARIET). This type of training reflects the movements required during a match, combining forward running with lateral movement to help officials keep up with play, particularly during attacking transitions. While elite referees can complete the ARIET at level nineteen (19), Montserrat’s trainee referees worked up to level fourteen (14), providing instructors with valuable insight into their current fitness levels and areas for future development.
FIFA Fitness Instructor, Alan Brown, recorded participants during their field session and reviewed the footage with them during the seminar. This allowed the trainees to self-assess and compare their own perception of their performance with the observations of the instructors. Mr Brown explained that this shared review process is important in referee development, as it helps create a unified understanding between the trainee and instructor of what is being done well and what needs improvement.
The candidates were also tested on their acceleration speed through a 10-metre sprint, an exercise commonly used when assessing FIFA referees. Several of Montserrat’s candidates recorded times between 1.76 and 1.9 seconds, highlighting their physical potential. Mr Brown noted that, with structured training and continued exposure, these results provide a strong foundation for further referee development.
Acting General Secretary of the MFA, Thandie Williams, said the programme represents an important investment in the development of football on Montserrat.
Referees are an essential part of football. Without trained and confident match officials, we cannot properly grow competitions at the grassroots, youth and senior levels. This course is therefore not simply a training exercise; it is an investment in the future structure and sustainability of football on Montserrat.”
Ms Williams noted that the Association is committed to building on the course by supporting participants as they continue their officiating journey and working towards the establishment of a structured Referee Department.
Instructor Jermaine May commended the participants for their energy and willingness to learn throughout the programme.
Mr May remarked, “The referees have a good attitude. They are enthusiastic and comfortable with learning.”
FIFA Fitness Instructor Alan Brown also praised the physical potential shown by the group and encouraged participants to continue developing their fitness, movement and technical understanding.
The MFA extends sincere thanks to Concacaf, Mr Ramsey, Mr May and Mr Brown for their support, expertise and commitment to referee development in Montserrat. The Association also congratulates all twenty- five (25) participants for taking the initiative to become involved in football officiating and for contributing to this historic first step.
The MFA looks forward to building on this important milestone as it works towards developing a stronger and more structured referee pathway to support football at all levels on Montserrat.