Kieron Watson’s passion!

TO many, football refereeing comes as an afterthought. And rarely do aspiring referees embrace the sport in their teens, mostly do so in their 20s.
However, there is one exception to that rule, a Form Three Christian Brothers College pupil, Kieron Watson.
Already an assistant referee at only 15, Watson has already set his sights on officiating at the world stage, having attained a Level Four refereeing certificate last year.

And yet Watson’s journey to match officiating started as a pastime, officiating at matches involving only his schoolmates. He subsequently decided to officially take up a refereeing course, at the instigation of former Zifa panel referee and CBC history teacher, Emmanuel Dlodlo.

“I was keen on being in the middle when other pupils were playing and after taking notice, Dlodlo encouraged us to register for officiating courses but I am the only one who decided to go on and register with Zifa to attend the course,” recalls Watson, who turned 15 on 13 June.

The young official is now an assistant referee in the Zifa Bulawayo Province Division Three and he hopes to work his way up to the Zifa panel following his first course at Eveline High School in October last year. Watson only started practising early this year after passing fitness tests.

“I have always been interested in football and I am the goalkeeper for the CBC team and have previously been selected for different provincial squads. I am enjoying playing and will continue in the field in the foreseeable future while at the same time refereeing,” said Watson.

He, however, lamented that most of his friends he used to play soccer with at Whitestone Primary School decided to dump the game, opting for other sports such as cricket, hockey and rugby.

Watson said unfortunately most white people prefer other sporting disciplines to soccer, but he saw it as an opportunity to bring diversity to the game.

“I love the game so much and want to be involved in whatever way, even when my friends decided to stop playing soccer, my passion saw me carrying on. Although I have tried convincing them to come on board and play the game they do not seem to have any interest at all.

“I realised we need diversity in football and having people from different backgrounds would be good for the game,” he said.
Having spent his entire childhood in the low density areas of Bulawayo, Watson says he had come to terms with dealing with football supporters from the “other side” of town.

He said things have so far moved well besides the occasional unsavoury comments from the spectators who would refer to him as “mlungu” or “mkhiwa”.

Watson said he had to face a hostile crowd at one game featuring Arenel Movers and Mpopoma Rovers on 7 June played at Induba ground in Pelandaba.

“The spectators were not happy with the result and were accosting us the officials, and despite the centre referee putting on his police uniform, the crowd was not deterred and we had to drive away but no harm was done to us. Most of the spectators seemed drunk and I think that is why they acted in that way.

“Of course at times it is scary but I guess it is part of the game and I do not think it poses any danger to me. You have to be strong to block out the intimidation from spectators because if you are weak it can lead to poor decisions. I just ignore whatever the fans are saying and continue doing my job,” he said.

Watson said because of his diminutive frame, the only thing he knew better when push came to shove was taking to his heels.
“Going to elokishi has not been much of a problem for me as most of the matches I officiate at are played in the high-density suburbs, I am slowly getting used to that part of town and I am enjoying it.

“It is actually a bonus for me as I get to explore the whole of Bulawayo and I come across interesting cultures and places, thus widening my knowledge,” he said.

Watson said he intended making it into the Zifa panel by the time he completed his Advanced-level studies, and was also looking to do his university studies in Germany.

“I want to make sure I get to the Zifa panel by the time I complete my A-level studies before coming back and continuing with my career after completing my studies in Germany,” he said, adding that his intentions were going all the way up to the Fifa panel as it would be a dream come true officiating at the world’s biggest sporting showcase, the World Cup.

Dlodlo, who convinced Watson to take up refereeing courses, said he had seen a keen interest in the profession by the youngster and advised him to attend courses.

“I am part of the teachers in charge of football and I encouraged the boys to attend refereeing courses but it is only Kieron who took up the offer while the rest are reluctant. I hope he (Kieron) will prove an inspiration to the other boys and they will follow in his footsteps. He showed keen interest and during his course he came to seek advice on anything he felt he needed help in,” said Dlodlo, who was forced by injury to retire from the sport in 2011 having taken up refereeing at the age of 27.

Watson said while his father Wayne Watson was initially skeptical about him taking on refereeing as it would involve going to different areas in the western suburbs, he reluctantly agreed and now accompanies him to most of the games where he will be on duty.
Kieron’s father said he was giving his son all the support he needed in pursuing his career in refereeing.

“It is his dream and I feel I should give him all the support he needs. He has got a rare talent and there is no way I can hold him back. Sport is important and kids should be given the opportunity to explore their talents.

“I take him to games across various venues and watch him officiate and do not have a problem with him going to any part of the town or country,” said Wayne Watson.

Zimbabwe Referees Association chief instructor, Sabelo Maphosa said Kieron had the advantage of age to his side and could progress further if he took his passion for officiating seriously.

“Many referees begin their careers late in life hence they fail to progress further and feature at tournaments like the World Cup. I think the fact he (Kieron) has started at a younger age will be advantage to him in advancing to the Fifa panel earlier.

“I think he is the youngest referee at the moment but Brighton Chimene, who is on the Zifa panel also started at almost the same age as Kieron,” she said.