Bermuda’s elite football officiating landscape has entered a defining new chapter following the election of pioneering FIFA referee Tashon Simons as the new President of the Bermuda Referees' Association (BRA).
Simons, who made history in 2017 by becoming the first Bermudian match official in over a decade to be named to the prestigious FIFA International Referees List, ran unopposed for the top job after outgoing president Anthony Francis chose not to seek re-election.
The appointment brings a wealth of international, high-pressure tournament experience to the domestic executive committee at a time when local official numbers are facing critical structural thresholds.
Simons will spearhead a heavily refreshed 2026 executive committee tasked with modernizing the island's referee pipeline and streamlining communication with the Bermuda Football Association (BFA).
Former national team defender Kentoine Jennings steps into the role of Secretary, while veteran official Dwight Jackson secures the Vice Presidency.
BERMUDA REFEREE ASSOCIATION: 2026 EXECUTIVE
• President: Tashon Simons
• Vice President: Dwight Jackson
• Secretary: Kentoine Jennings
• Treasurer: Ralshon Douglas
• Committee Members: Matteo Donawa, Quayan Watson
Speaking to islandstats.com, Simons laid down an immediate, dual-track mandate for his incoming administration, balancing swift behind-the-scenes administrative cleaning with a comprehensive tactical recruitment drive.
"First order of business of the executive will be to sort out administrative matters, which have already started," Simons said. "Second, we will look at options to make refereeing more attractive so that more people—specifically between the ages of 17 and 30—join the ranks for years to come. I am also hoping to recall some officials who have recently stopped."
A central, high-stakes pillar of Simons' presidency will center on financial restructuring. The former international assistant referee confirmed that opening formal negotiations with the BFA to increase the base match-fee payment for local officials is firmly on the table.
However, Simons warned that any standard-of-living pay hikes from the governing body must be earned via strict, unconditional professional development from the rank-and-file membership.
"Requesting from the BFA for officials to be paid more per match may be an avenue to be explored," Simons explained. "But that will have to come with a definitive commitment from the membership to train regularly, attend technical courses, and show up to general meetings. We are also exploring thoughts around potentially obtaining corporate sponsorship."
Crucially, the new regime will not be discarding the structural foundations left behind by the previous committee. Simons confirmed that the BRA will strictly enforce three recently implemented governance frameworks—the Disciplinary Code, the Code of Conduct, and the BRA Matchday Protocol—as they look to professionalize the image of refereeing across the local landscape.
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