J’can ref officiates in Cayman FA Cup final
ROYAL Bank of Canada and Grand Cayman Marriott Resort partnered with the Cayman Islands Football Association and funded the flight arrangements and accommodation for Jamaican FIFA referee Courtney Campbell, who officiated in the Men’s FA Cup final between Georgetown SC and Tigers last Sunday.
The game was played at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex at 7:00 pm following the Under-13 Youth FA Cup and the Women’s FA Cup finals played at 3:30 and 5:00 respectively.
Georgetown won 1-0.
Campbell, who hails from Chapleton in Clarendon, has been a FIFA referee for the past six years, officiating in several international games.
One of Campbell’s greatest achievements in his career was his participation at the 2009 Gold Cup final as the central referee.
Campbell is a ranked member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, a member of the Clarendon Referees Association and the Jamaica Federation of Referees Association. He has been actively involved in refereeing for over 10 years.
Although not a celebrated footballer, Campbell played the game and was inspired to become a referee by the now-deceased president of the St Elizabeth FA, Courtney Brown. He stepped up to the plate and the rest is history.
After the game on Sunday, Campbell said he was impressed with the level of competitiveness displayed by both teams in that game and the Women’s game as well.
“The teams had an eagerness to score and played competitive football. This level of performance is befitting a final. The organisation of the event was professionally done.
“The hospitality received from the president of the Cayman Islands Football Association and staff and members of the Cayman Islands Referee Association was remarkable. I just want to say a big thank you to my sponsors and everyone else there, and wish for them God’s blessings,” he said.