Sobers voted 2nd best in CONCACAF

Referee Crystal Sobers, centre, issues Police FC's Jibri Mc David, second from left, a yellow card during a TT Pro League match. Sobers was named the second best CONCACAF referee for 2018. PHOTO BY ALLAN V CRANE/CA-IMAGES
Referee Crystal Sobers, centre, issues Police FC's Jibri Mc David, second from left, a yellow card during a TT Pro League match. Sobers was named the second best CONCACAF referee for 2018. PHOTO BY ALLAN V CRANE/CA-IMAGES

CRYSTAL SOBERS has been voted the second best female referee in CONCACAF for 2018. Her placing was decided based on votes among national team head coaches, national team captains, experts from the media in CONCACAF and fans across the globe.

Sobers was the runner-up behind Mexico’s Lucila Venegas and ahead of third-placed Carol Anne Chenard of Canada. She was the only person from TT nominated in any category for CONCACAF’s best of 2018 awards.

On Wednesday, Sobers said she was still coming to terms with the accomplishment, but put it down to commitment and perseverance on the field.

“I am still digesting this reward of acknowledgement of my commitment and deliverance on the field of play. I feel really inspired to continue my journey towards excellence,” Sobers told the TT Football Association.

Sobers officiated at the CONCACAF Under 20 Women’s Championship in 2018, earning a fourth official appointment in the final at IMG Academy in Florida. She also carried the whistle at the CFU Women’s Challenge series, the Central American Women World Cup qualifiers, the CAC Games in Colombia and the CONCACAF Women’s championship (final round of World Cup qualifiers) in Texas.She said, “Being passionate about this game, I have accepted that it does not come with a price but more so an energy that fuels the need to enjoy the game for the best of what it has to offer. The CONCACAF U-20s was a stepping stone for me being among the tier one refs and excelling to the final as fourth official.”

What makes Sobers such an outstanding and respected referee?

“ My performance on the field comes from a foundation of calmness and strength. I have learned a lot as a player, so understanding the game and the use of my personality towards the players have made it easier for all of us to enjoy the game,” she said.

Sobers wants to see more females take up refereeing locally and is also encouraging her male compatriots to keep aspiring towards becoming international referees. “You have to love the game in order to become a referee. It’s not an easy career, but once you have a sense of humour, a willingness to listen and endure tiring training sessions on and off the field, the vast opportunities are there to taste this wonderful career in refereeing,” Sobers said. TTFA president David John-Williams also credited Sobers for her accomplishment, saying her achievement was testimony to her dedication and commitment. He urged her to continue striving for excellence in the field along with her other refereeing companions, who will receive their 2019 FIFA badges next Wednesday.

One of TT’s FIFA’s male referees Caleb Wales congratulated Sobers on her runner-up finish for 2018. He said, “She’s the embodiment of hard work paying off. I’ve seen the effort she puts in on and off the field and this second place finish is the result of that effort. She has incredible focus and it will take her far.”

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