Parkins, May Fly BVI Flag
BVI assistant referee Guillaume Parkins and CONCACAF referee instructor Jermaine May are representing the Territory at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Santiago, Dominican Republic from July 27 to August 7. Their selection highlights the BVI’s growing role within CONCACAF’s refereeing structure and offers practical training and exposure that can benefit local football development.
Two officials from the British Virgin Islands are on the international stage this week as referee Guillaume Parkins and instructor Jermaine May represent the Territory at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Santiago, Dominican Republic. According to the BVI Football Association (BVIFA), Parkins will serve as an assistant referee while May attends as part of instructor and referee-education activities organised by CONCACAF.
Parkins, who holds the designation of Assistant FIFA Referee, arrives in Santiago with a growing international résumé. Recent assignments include the CONCACAF Under-20 World Cup Qualifiers in Curaçao, the Dallas Cup in Texas and the Super 4 Tournament in Anguilla. The BVIFA said his selection reflects consistent performances and CONCACAF’s continued confidence in his development as one of the Caribbean’s promising assistant referees.
May, a CONCACAF Referee Instructor, is participating in an education and development programme at the Games. "This course represents another important step in my development as a referee instructor," May said. He added that the experience will help him become a better mentor to referees in the BVI, strengthening the pathway for officials at all levels back home.
The BVIFA described the pair’s attendance as a sign of the Territory’s growing presence within CONCACAF’s refereeing structure. For BVI residents, those words translate into more than prestige: having national referees and instructors active at regional events brings knowledge, improved standards, and clearer progression routes for young referees in local leagues and schools.
Local referees are likely to benefit when Parkins and May return, through coaching, workshops and a greater understanding of regional expectations for fitness, positioning and match management. The BVIFA has in recent years emphasised referee development as part of broader plans to raise the standard of football across the Territory, from youth programmes to senior competitions.
As the CAC Games proceed, the BVI community will be watching two of its representatives contribute to regional sport while gaining experience that could help build the next generation of referees in the Territory.
Primary source: BVI Platinum