Rawle Toney for prestigious Referee certification clinic in Cayman Islands
From KNEWS
Sports Journalist, Rawle Toney is scheduled to depart Guyana to participate in a four-day Referee Certification Clinic dubbed the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC)/FIBA Americas Referee Certification Clinic, set for the Cayman Islands from April 9 – 12 next.
Several basketball officials had once held this prestigious post including Aubrey Young, Sherwin Henry and Lugard Mohan, but they have all been removed from the list due to inactivity thus leaving a void in that department.
Toney is the youngest local referee and has officiated at several games in the city. Under the guidance of Lugard Mohan, the GBOC has taken a more professional approach and has since been seeking to attract more youths to perform the functions of referee.
Among the criteria for qualification and certification, the referee must not be over 35 years of age when taking part in a FIBA Clinic for Referee Candidates and will not be considered FIBA Active Referee after the age of 50.
The World governing body for basketball further stated that in order to clinch the position, candidates must be officially proposed by their member federations, participate in a Clinic for FIBA Referee Candidates as well as succeed in theoretical and physical fitness and officiating tests.
Toney is the youngest official in the small pool of Referees in Guyana and has been a regular feature with the whistle at games in the city. Under the guidance of Lugard Mohan, the GBOC has taken a more professional approach and has since been seeking to attract more youths to become referees.
Moments after being informed of his fortunes, an enthusiastic Toney said, “I had always nurtured the desire to be a (basketball) Referee and the thrill of engaging in a vocation I love and excites me.” He also revealed that had he suspected that his new vocation would have been such fun, he would have commenced a career in officiating a long time ago. He said that he received encouragement from Mr. Lugard and is grateful for the assistance.
At the moment, Toney is officiating in the GABF’s ‘Road to Mecca’ Basketball tournament now at the finals where Linden’s Retrieve Raiders will pit their skill against Georgetown’s Ravens. “I’ve officiated at every game in the tournament and am slated to carry the whistle in the finals on Sunday. I think I had to be doing something right to have been selected for such a prestigious assignment,” Toney said.
He admitted that he has had more than his fair share of criticism but said that he has taken it in stride even as he remembers his days as an active player when he also questioned the decisions of the referee. “This tournament is offering valuable practice and I’m excited with the opportunity this new vocation will offer,” Toney said.
PHOTO: Rawle Toney about to administer a call during a game in the GABF Road Mecca Basketball tournament at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall
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