The Bermuda Football Association’s Head of Referees, Crenstant Williams, hosted an evening of celebration this week as the island’s match officials were recognised at the annual end-of-season Referee Awards night.
The event served as a vital platform to celebrate the often-unsung heroes of the beautiful game, ranging from the promising youngsters managing the Children's Leagues to the seasoned veterans representing Bermuda on the international stage. Williams praised the collective effort of the officiating body, noting that the standard of local football relies heavily on the growth and dedication of its referees.
The future of the profession looked particularly bright during the opening presentations, as Stella Richardson was named the Promising Children’s League Female Referee. The focus on consistency at the grassroots level saw Chance Franks, Ean Welch, Royal Fubler Tucker, and Tiras Smith all honoured for their reliable performances throughout the season.
In the Youth League categories, the "Outstanding" honours were awarded to a trio of rising officials in Malachi Jones, Cecoy Robinson, and LaZai Outerbridge. Their ability to manage high-tempo matches was highlighted as a key indicator of their potential to move up the officiating ladder in the coming years.
The backbone of the local game was also acknowledged through the Dedication and Commitment awards, presented to Wendy Woodley, Anthony Francis, Dwight Jackson, and Tracy Adams. Meanwhile, the Assistant Referee Perseverance Award went to Dash Bailey, with Lloyd Christopher being named Instructor of the Year for his tireless work in mentoring the next generation.
The evening concluded with the headline awards for performance excellence. Rhys Pedro took home the trophy for Outstanding Local Assistant Referee, while the island's international representatives were also lauded. Stefan Maybury received an honourable mention for his overseas exploits, but the top honours went to Clinton Hayward for Outstanding International Assistant Referee Performance and Amaury Majors, who was named the Outstanding International Referee of the year.
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