Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
CAMPBELL
THE PERFORMANCE of netball umpire Sylvester Campbell got lost in the celebration of the historic performance of the Jamaican contingent at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne Australia, which ran from March15-26.
While the likes of 100 metres champion Asafa Powell, Sherone Simpson and the others, who held the black, gold and green flying high down under, returned to much fanfare, Campbell slipped into the island the day before - unnoticed. But in Australia he was no less an ambassador for his country.
The 38-year-old was the only official from Jamaica to attend the Commonwealth Games and he created history by being the first male to officiate in the final between Australia and New Zealand.
"Melbourne was great experience. I think I did my country proud. I made history by being the first male to do the final in an international tournament final," said Campbell, who added that as the tournament went on he could feel that he was doing well.
His feelings were justified as the big games kept coming and coming until he did the final, a remarkable thing for someone who has been a member of the International Umpires' Association (IUA), for just a year. An IUA is on par with an International Cricket Council (ICC) umpire or a football referee selected to officiate in the World Cup finals.
While Campbell's performance largely went unnoticed at home, he received praises from the powers that be in the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA).
"Well, first of all, congratula-tions on your finals performance. I thought you umpired well, were consistent and strong.
"You looked the part and presented international umpiring as it should be presented," read part of a congratulatory email sent to Campbell following the tournament by Chris Burton, convener of the International Umpires Committee, the body which selects umpires and if needed, changes the rules of the game.
DEMANDS
Since the Commonwealth Games, the demands for the services of the very confident Campbell, who sees himself as one of the top umpires in the world, have not subsided.
Recently, he received invitations from Michelle Welch, administrator International Federation of Netball Associations, to officiate in matches in July.
He was invited to act as reserve umpire for one of the two Test matches between Australia U21 vs New Zealand U21 which took place in Brisbane, Australia on July 20 and July 22, 2005. Following these would be umpiring duties in the Australia vs New Zealand two-match Test Series, which takes place in Brisbane, Australia on July 22 and Sydney, Australia, on July 25.
The international career of Campbell is not about to end any time soon as having tasted international success and having seen what is to come he will stick around for another four years to officiate in the 2010 New Dehli Commonwealth Games.
"I am going to hang on for Delhi in 2010. I was thinking of hanging it up after the FIJI World Championship tourna-ment next year but after seeing what Delhi is offering, I decided to stay on and I should do it. It is just a matter of keeping up the fitness," the confident man said.
OBSESSION
What now appears to be an obsession for Campbell began as a curiosity well over 20 years ago when as a schoolboy at Ardenne High, he watched then coach Mrs. Margaret Beckford, the first president of the Jamaica Netball Association, conducting sessions with her charges. Seeing the young man watching training session after training session, Mrs. Beckford engaged the young man in conversation.
"I got to talking to Mrs. Beckford and we discussed the sport. I learnt a lot from her and it was from there that the interest was sparked and I have been involved in the sport since then as umpire and coach," Campbell explained.
For the average male, immersing himself in what is considered a female sport would have had him thinking twice. Not Campbell. He is not bothered about going where no other man has tread nor is he influenced by what others think.
"At no point in time did I ever feel out of place and I am not afraid of being the only male among females either. If I am called to do a particular thing, I will do it. I am good at netball (umpiring and coaching) and I have seen the results of what I have done and I have been commended both locally and internationally.
"When I entered the sport there were already males prominently involved such as Lester Stanford, Patrick Brissett and another gentleman by the name of Mr. Wilson so there were no eyebrows raised," said Campbell, who is in charge of the Tivoli Gardens netball programme and also coaches Omega.
In fact, he said he was mainly embraced and singled out by the outstanding Janet Johnson, who he still counts as a friend and as being very supportive.
Having helped to break down one barrier in the traditional female sport, there is one more the outspoken Campbell would like to see dismantled and that is the block placed on a male coach for the national team.
He has no interest in the position personally but is insulted by the position taken by the national body.
"The president said not under her watch will there be a male coach. It should not be about gender. It should be about the best person for the job. I myself am not interested but I take offence to that position. How can you say that? I think corporate Jamaica should put an embargo on them," Campbell said.
Career highlights
2006 Melbourne Commonwealth games finals Austrailia vs New Zealand.
2005 Auckland NZ Test series Austrailia vs New Zealand.
2005 World Youth Tournament Fort Lauderdale (semis Australia vs New Zealand).
2005 Commonwealth Qualifiers St. Vincent.
2005 Tri-nation series Barbados, New Zealand and Jamaica at National indoor stadium (Jamaica).
2004 Under-16 Tournament St. Lucia.
2004 Caribbean Senior Tournament, Trinidad and Tobago.
Umpired many domestic league games.
Reserve in many international series in Jamaica (Not allowed to umpire his own country's game according to IFNA rules).
