The Barbados Football Association (BFA) has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing the quality of match officiating by prioritizing referee development. In a recent initiative, the BFA successfully conducted its annual Referee Recruitment Course, a cornerstone of its strategy to cultivate a new generation of skilled referees and bolster the local pool of match officials. The course, led by BFA’s Head of Refereeing, Mark Forde, and CONCACAF’s Member Association Referees’ Technical Instructor, Trevor Taylor, provided participants with comprehensive training in theoretical, technical, and physical aspects of refereeing, aligned with the official laws of the game. Following the course, participants will enter an apprenticeship phase to officiate domestic matches. Forde emphasized the importance of attracting young talent, noting that the majority of the 16 participants were aged between 14 and 18. He highlighted the critical role referees play in the sustainability of football in Barbados, stating, ‘Without referees, no football can play.’ The BFA’s efforts extend beyond local development, with plans to send two young referees, Darian Scantlebury and Charles Yearwood, to Trinidad and Tobago next month to participate in a CONCACAF initiative aimed at identifying emerging talent and elevating regional refereeing standards. BFA President Randy Harris underscored the association’s dedication to excellence, citing the inclusion of five BFA referees on the prestigious 2025 FIFA International Referees List as a testament to their progress. BFA referees have also gained recognition internationally, officiating matches across the Americas and the Caribbean. Locally, they continue to play a pivotal role in prestigious tournaments such as the Prime Minister’s Cup and the inaugural 2025 Barbados Beach Soccer Championship.