Caribbean Football Union President Randolph Harris presided over the virtual 45th Ordinary Congress of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) from Bridgetown, Barbados on September 17, 2022

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (September 17, 2022)—The Caribbean Football Union (CFU) held its XLV Ordinary Congress today, Saturday, September 17, 2022. Delegates from the Member Associations joined via video conference to review the administrative, financial, footballing and governance matters of the organization. CFU President, also a Concacaf Vice-President and President of the Barbados Football Association, Randolph Harris presided over the meeting.

The Members approved the 2021 Audited Financial Statements, the 2023 Budget, and the Executive Committee Report during a meeting that reflected on the work of the CFU since the previous congress, which was held on November 20, 2021.

President Harris noted several new initiatives, including the CFU Next Generation Referee Course. Together with the referee development program at the Challenge Series and the online basic referee course on the CFU’s e-learning platform, CFU Knowledge Zone, the ongoing course is part of the organization’s action plan to develop a quality pool of regional referees who can matriculate to the world stage.

At the start of the meeting, President Harris also acknowledged the passing of three former members of the CFU fraternity, past President Gordon Derrick, past General Secretary Harold Taylor and former Trinidad and Tobago Football Association President David John Williams.

In his address, President Harris in summarizing the period under review and looking ahead, told the membership, “Our goals remain the same—to strive to create opportunities at our level, and collaborations in other tiers, so that we offer meaningful service to the Caribbean football fraternity.

“What we have is the foundation we have laid. The time is now, as discussed during the Presidents’ Forum earlier this year, to move with purpose and determination towards the professionalization of the game in the region,” he said.

He noted that adding new courses to the e-learning platform; continuing the digital workshop series and the referee programs; and staging the Girls’ U-14 Challenge Series rank high on the agenda.

Concacaf President Victor Montagliani attended the virtual congress and offered remarks, the overarching theme of which commitment and trust.

“When your team has trust you perform,” Montagliani said, adding that it is the commitment and work off the field that brings success on the pitch.

He thanked the CFU Executive Committee for “sterling leadership,” which he said is important as the confederation prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.