LOCAL football was granted double delight last Saturday, as the women’s team easily defeated Dominica 3-1 and Barbados recognised its latest FIFA accredited official Shannon Gibson with the presentation of her first FIFA assistant referee badge.
Gibson made her FIFA international debut as an official in the capacity of assistant referee two alongside fellow FIFA officials Clifton Garnes, Trevor Taylor and role model Gillian Martindale.
The former Lester Vaughan and Mavericks forward has put away the boots and picked up the flag and with great aplomb, according to some of her colleagues and observers.
“Shannon is very keen, confident and serious about refereeing,” said Martindale, who said it was a privilege to have Shannon amongst her team of FIFA international referees.
Gibson first got involved in football at the age of 17 as a player under the guidance of club and school coach Adrian Mapp. She was an exceptional player, known for her pace, stamina and ability to score from anywhere on the pitch. therefore, when the choice had to be made, she did not walk away too pleased.
The 2013 Barbados Football Association (BFA) Women’s League top goal scorer told Nation Sports; “I had to give up playing, which I did not want to, but when I went to the Cayman Island for the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Under 15 tournament, I realized there’s much more in refereeing than actually playing”.
It was after her outstanding performances at the CFU championships last August that she was recommended by the relevant officials and pushed by the BFA and local refereeing association to pursue her FIFA status and she gleefully accepted the challenge.
Martindale, a FIFA accredited referee since 2009, is one of the most qualified female referees in the CONCACAF region and she also received her annual badge on Saturday. She said it was indeed an honour to have another Barbadian female reach FIFA status. She added that Gibson’s appointment augured well for not just Barbadian football but regional football as well.
“It is very good for Barbados football on the international market because we really need two teams (eight referees) to be highly considered for international [games]”.
