Paul-Andre Walker, Staff Reporter
CAMPBELL
THE ONLY Jamaican international official at the Commonwealth Games, set to begin on March 15, will come from the sport of netball.
Sylvester Campbell, the coach of the Tivoli Gardens and Omega netball teams, has been an international umpire for the last year and will make the trip to Australia to officiate at the Games on March 12.
After passing one of his regular fitness tests, Campbell was selected as one of only three officials from the Americas, which includes Canada, the United States and the Caribbean.
He will leave the island a day after Jamaica's senior netball team takes flight.
PROUD
While not a popular post, because of the rigours it entails, the status that comes from being an international umpire is one that Campbell admits he is very proud of.
"In the case of umpires there is a test and so there is no appointment, as such any achievement in the area is done on your own steam and so I feel good to be a part of that."
While cognisant of the effort that has taken him where he is, Campbell is also aware of who has helped him along the way.
"My thanks must go to Yvette Smith. She is the convener of umpires in Jamaica and her vision has certainly aided me in my career," said Campbell.
As an umpire for over 20 years, Campbell makes no bones about telling people who might want to achieve what he has, that it takes hard work.
SERIOUS DIETING
Campbell spoke of serious dieting and an appreciation for extreme fitness.
"I have to be in the gym every day at 11 o'clock and sometimes it is quite expensive to live the life required, but that's one of the sacrifices that you have to make," he said.
With netball really only a Commonwealth sport that hasn't attained full blown world acclaim just yet, there is no significant financial reward to be reaped from his hard work, so the question that begs to be asked is, what is to be gained?
WELL TRAVELLED
"First of all I've been to countries that I would never have gone to if it were not for umpiring. For instance, I would not have bought a ticket for US$2000 to go to Australia, but I'll be there in a matter of weeks," he said.
The presence of international umpires in Jamaica also benefits the country's netball.
According to Campbell, in his travels he has picked up on different aspects of the sport, in particular things relating to coaching, that have been instrumental in his coaching methods. Some of these skills have in turn been translated to the national team via those players that make the transition.
Added to that, with an acute knowledge of the rules, Campbell has been able to give his local team an edge over less experienced teams going into the games.
