Two Barbadian assistant referees have been selected to participate in the Caribbean Football Union’s (CFU) Women’s Match Officials Course, set to take place from March 7–9 in Antigua and Barbuda.
The Barbados Football Association (BFA) announced today that FIFA Assistant Referees Abigail Brathwaite and Jaselle Louison will represent the island at the regional training programme, which forms part of the CFU’s observance of International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8.
Expressing her pride in being selected, Louison described the opportunity as a significant step forward in her refereeing career.
“It’s always an honour to represent Barbados as a referee, and being part of a course, especially for women is no exception,” she said. “It is encouraging that as females in a male-dominated sport, we are seen for the hard work we put in and given these kinds of opportunities to elevate to both regional and international levels. I’m looking forward to interacting with, and learning from, other female referees, instructors, and mentors from across the Caribbean so that I can bring back the knowledge to Barbados and share it with others.”
BFA Head of Refereeing Victor Moore welcomed the initiative, highlighting the importance of professional development for local officials.
“We are pleased to take full advantage of all training opportunities made available to our match officials so that we can continue to strengthen our pool of referees on the island,” he said. “Being involved in this Course is just another part of the pathway to becoming a top international official, and not only does it benefit the performance of our referees individually, but it also assists us to make for better football in Barbados. It is my sincere hope that by having local representatives participate in these kinds of noteworthy educational programmes that we can encourage others to consider a career in refereeing, especially females.”
The three-day course will provide theoretical and practical training for female match officials currently on the FIFA International Refereeing List. Participants will undergo physical drills and classroom sessions covering key aspects of officiating, including match management, positioning, movement, and the psychology of refereeing. Additionally, the programme will feature enrichment sessions led by experienced presenters, offering insight into the role of referees as professionals and brand ambassadors.
BFA President Randy Harris reaffirmed the association’s commitment to advancing women’s football and ensuring development opportunities for all involved in the sport.
“Capacity building is crucial for football’s growth in Barbados,” Harris stated. “We are dedicated to providing regional and international exposure for our referees and fostering a pathway for women in all areas of the game.”
Harris also revealed that the BFA will join other national sporting bodies in a special International Women’s Day celebration this Saturday, hosted by the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA), to honour women’s contributions to sport.
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