The program, which is aimed at specifying referee standards and formally defining classification groups for referees within the Cayman Islands is comprehensive and promises a tremendous return on investment.

Webb added that a project of this nature has been long overdue, “It is a major first step where CIFA’s Referee Development Program is concerned.” He stressed the importance of setting defined standards and classification groups for referees in order to make the process more transparent and less subjective. He maintains that it will have a tremendous impact on the level and quality of the game.

D.C. Emerson Mathurin, FIFA Referee Instructor and member of the CONCACAF Referee’s Commission has agreed to consult with the Association in this regard.

An economist by profession, Mathurin comes with an impressive track record in referee education. He has been appointed as Referee Inspector with both CONCACAF and FIFA since 1987 and 1989 respectively and has conducted over 200 courses for referees and referee inspectors through out North and Central America, Germany, the Caribbean and the South Pacific. He has also authored and co-authored some 12 publications on referee performance and education and recently completed referee development plans for the Caribbean Football Union and CONCACAF.

"Already, CIFA has adapted my November 1999 "A PROPOSAL FOR A REFEREE DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE CARIBBEAN FOOTBALL UNION" to suit football conditions in Cayman,” said Mathurin. “Now, working with CIFA and the Cayman Islands Referee’s Association, and using the goals and objectives that are in my April 2002 "A CONCACAF REFEREE DEVELOPMENT PLAN TO 2006" as a backdrop, I hope to assist CIFA in updating its existing referee development program.”
It is expected that the proposal or some modification of it could be used by CIFA to assist in achieving its referee development plan, and to design programs aimed at implementing the objectives of that plan.

The program is expected to kick off in time for the 2004-2005 season.