Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines – The St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF), in partnership with the Fédération International de Football Association (FIFA), officially opened a five-day Member Association (MA) Referees Workshop on 15 October 2025 at the Arnos Vale Media Centre.
The workshop is part of FIFA’s global development programme to strengthen refereeing standards and ensure officials remain current with modern interpretations of the FIFA Laws of the Game. Participants included referees and assistant referees from across St Vincent and the Grenadines.
The opening ceremony was chaired by Mr. Lorson Lewis and began with the National Anthem and an Opening Prayer by Moeth Gaymes. Mr. Lewis noted that referee education is vital to maintaining discipline and fairness in football.
Opening statements were delivered by:
- Mr. Clemroy Francois – SVGFF Referees Department
- Ms. Diane Ferreira James – FIFA Technical Instructor
- Ms. Kalisha Antoine – FIFA Fitness Instructor (Antigua and Barbuda)
- Mr. Otashie Spring – President, SVGFF
- Ms. Jomadean May – Director of Sports
SVGFF President Mr. Otashie Spring reaffirmed the Federation’s continued investment in match official development.
“Referee training is an essential part of football advancement. By improving our referees, we improve the quality of competition nationwide,” he said.
The workshop covers:
- Amendments to the FIFA Laws of the Game
- Match control and disciplinary management
- Assistant referee techniques
- Physical conditioning for referees
- Video review and practical field exercises
The SVGFF extends sincere thanks to the FIFA Referee Department for its continued partnership and dedication to referee development. This programme aligns with the SVGFF’s goal to elevate football standards through education and professionalism.
