BVIFA President, Andy Bickerton, presents Norval A. Young with his FIFA badge, which means he can now officiate at high level matches including the upcoming CFU Club Championships. Photo: Provided

Young, the latest of three such local Referees to receive CONCACAF/FIFA accreditation as a match Official, first came to prominence for his performances at an CFU U15 Tournament in 2013 and has now been earmarked as one of the Officials for the CFU Club Championship Group 2.

The Group which consists of the Association Sportive de Mirebalais from Haiti; Waterhouse Football Cub from Jamaica; Inter Moegotopoe from Suriname, and Caledonia AIA from Trinidad and Tobago, will be hosted in Haiti and runs from March 19 to 26, 2014.

All in all tthirteen teams from across the region will be competing in the 2014 Caribbean Football Union’s (CFU) Championship Cup. The tournament is one of the major events on the CFU calendar and is the official qualifying tournament for the 2014/2015 CONCACAF Champions League.

This year’s tournament has been divided into three (3) groups with four teams; while defending champions Valencia Football Club from Haiti, has been granted a bye to enter the competition in the final round.

CFU President Gordon Derrick, has hailed the increase of clubs entering the competition as a reflection of the interest and willingness of regional clubs to test their mettle against the best CONCACAF has to offer.

“I consider them the lucky 13 and three of them will advance to face top flight competition in the CONCACAF Champions League. We in the CFU executive are encouraged by this response and bodes well for our agenda of developing football at every level in the Caribbean “I want to wish every team success in this competition and those who move forward , may they continue to make the CFU proud,” said Derrick.

In Group 1, which is being hosted in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, features Centro Dominguito from Curacao; Bayamon Bodden Town from the Cayman Islands, and Unite Saint Rosienne from Guadeloupe.

In Group 3, being played in Jamaica, football fans will find Harbour View Football Club; Alpha United from Guyana; Defence Force Football Team from Trinidad & Tobago, and Sporting Vereeniging Notch from Suriname.

All games are scheduled to be played simultaneously from March 19-26, 2014 with the final round set for April 16-21 in a knock-out format to crown a champion and the three places up for grabs at the CONCACAF Champions League.

Norval Young was presented with his “Cards” in January of this year, by BVI Football Association President, Mr. Andy Bickerton, as recognition for being appointed to the FIFA/CONCACAF Match Officials lists for 2014.

The achievement is best put in perspective by Young is just the third Referee in BVIFA history to reach such a high level of recognition.

Young, who has been plying his love for the game through Refereeing, came to prominence at a recent Tournament held in the Cayman Islands for Under 15 Boys, at which as part of a new CONCACAF initiative, Referees from around the Caribbean where invited to take part.

Assistant Referee status means that Young will start officiating higher level games as what used to be called a Linesman. As he gets more game experience under his belt he will be promoted to the “man in the middle”, having met the criteria, such as fitness and ability to handle situations he may face.