Top T&T referee Brian Charles has been nominated by the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), the world body for the sport, to officiate at an FIVB World League leg in Toronto, Canada, next month and the World Youth (Under-18) Women's Championship in Thailand this July.
With regard to his appointment, Charles said it was a great honour not only for him, but as a referee from the smaller countries of the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (Norceca) region to be selected for the tournaments.
"My appointment to the World League tournament in Canada will be a first for referees from Norceca, but not from among the "big six" countries in Canada, USA, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Mexico while I will only be the second for a World Youth Championship event to get appointed not coming from the "big six"–so its a great achievement I think we all can be proud off and aspire to", added Charles.
Commenting on the appointment, Daymian Stewart, president of the T&T Volleyball Federation, said the executive and staff of the local federation feels very proud of Charles' achievement.
"He deserves this and it is hoped that his achievements would serve to inspire others to officiate as well, added Stewart.
Currently, T&T has four FIVB international referees in Charles, Winston Samuel, Sheldon Sandiford and Betty-Ann Augustine. Veteran senior national men's team captain Nolan Tash recently completed the international referees course in Argentina and has to complete a series of international matches with high scores to complete the process to become the fifth international referee, a record for a Caribbean Country.
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