TCIFA Hosts Tier-1 FIFA Women’s International Friendlies
With the multiple objectives of raising the profile of Turks and Caicos Islands Women’s Football, and to provide competitive playing opportunities to our players, the TCIFA hosted a Women’s Football Festival from July 29 to August 2, 2021.
Coupled with these objectives were the additional goals to return to the FIFA Women’s World Ranking system by becoming increasingly and internationally active, and also to utilize the games as preparation for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers (scheduled by Concacaf to commence this year). TCIFA coordinated with the Women’s National Programmes of The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, and US Virgin Islands to host Tier-1 FIFA International Friendly matches at the TCIFA National Academy in Providenciales. Matches kicked off on Thursday July 29th, with a two-day rest period, and continued on Sunday August 1st. On Monday August 2nd, festival playoffs for third place and first place will be contested.
Officiating the FIFA Women’s Friendly matches were an all-female group of FIFA appointed International Referees and Assistant Referees; hailing from the Caribbean Islands. In addition, local fourth officials, and match commissioners were assigned duties.
Odette Hamilton of Jamaica has served as a FIFA referee since 2017. Her international experiences extend to the 2021 Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers, 2020 Concacaf Women’s U20 Championship, 2020 Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifiers, 2018 CAC Women’s Games, 2018 Concacaf Women’s World Cup Qualifiers, and 2018 Concacaf Women’s U17 Championship.
Crystal Sobers of Trinidad and Tobago, a FIFA Referee since 2015, most recently participated in the 2020 Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifiers, and 2020 Concacaf Women’s U20 Championship. Amongst her appointments, she also carried the whistle at the 2018 Concacaf Women’s Under 20 Championship, CFU Women’s Challenge series, the CAC Games in Colombia and the Concacaf Women’s championship (Final round of World Cup qualifiers) in Texas.
Krystal Evans of The Bahamas was first named FIFA Assistant Referee in 2019, and recently participated in the 2020 Concacaf Women’s U20 Championship.
Princess Brown of Jamaica, a FIFA Assistant Referee since 2014, partook in the 2020 Concacaf Men’s World Cup Qualifiers, 2020 Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifiers, 2019 Concacaf League, 2019 Women’s World Cup France, 2018 Concacaf Women’s World Cup Qualifiers, 2017 FIFA Women’s U17 World Cup, and 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada.
Stephanie Yee-Sing of Jamaica, a FIFA Assistant Referee since 2016, officiated in the 2020 Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers, 2019/2020 Concacaf Nations League B, 2018/2019 Concacaf Nations League Qualifiers, 2019 and 2020 Concacaf League.
Carissa Douglas-Jacob of Trinidad and Tobago is a Roxborough Secondary School physical education teacher who has served as FIFA Assistant Referee since 2017. Her international refereeing career has seen the likes of the 2020 Concacaf Women’s U20 Championship, and 2018 Concacaf Women’s U17 Championship.
With the increased number of friendly matches, especially those sanctioned by FIFA, TCIFA intends to improve the quality of international football for the Turks and Caicos Islands. This also gives the chance to blood young players, unearthing new talents for a good run at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Campaign.
TCIFA’s President Sonia commented that “These International Games are all aimed at growing the female game in the TCI as well as in the region. In this regard, the TCIFA are leaders as this football festival is unique to us and the region and we hope that it will motivate other Football Associations to hold similar tournaments. The fact that these games are being officiated by the top female officials in the region and some may say, the world, gives this Football Festival added legitimacy and prestige”
