Jamaican referees Oshane Nation and Odette Hamilton are among participants in the prestigious 2025 Concacaf Refereeing Talent and Mentor Program, an initiative aimed at accelerating the development of top refereeing talent across the region.
The six-month program, which kicks off with an intensive seminar at the Dallas Cup from April 12 to 20, will see Nation and Hamilton among a carefully selected group of 16 referees from Tiers 1, 2, and 3. Each official has been paired with one of eight top-tier mentors from across the Concacaf Confederation for personalized guidance and support throughout the duration of the initiative.
The program is designed to provide structured, one-on-one coaching that will enhance the referees’ performance both in domestic leagues and on the international stage. Throughout the Dallas Cup—an elite international youth tournament featuring top clubs like Real Madrid CF, Tigres UANL, São Paulo FC, and Newcastle United—officials will receive real-time coaching, post-match feedback, and participate in VAR training sessions.
For Nation and Hamilton, who have steadily risen through the ranks of regional officiating, the program represents not only a recognition of their talent but also a vital stepping stone toward future international appointments.
In addition to hands-on match experience, the opening seminar will include practical field training to replicate the demands of the modern game, classroom-based technical sessions, and video analysis to fine-tune officiating decisions. FIFA Assistant Referees will also be on hand to support the referees during the Dallas Cup matches.
Once the seminar concludes, the developmental journey continues. Mentors will monitor their assigned referees throughout the year, providing regular feedback based on domestic and international match performances. Monthly progress reports will be submitted to Concacaf, and mentors may also visit the referees’ home countries to observe their domestic assignments in person.
To support their physical development, each referee will receive a customized fitness program based on input from the program’s sports science coordinator, with weekly fitness data to be submitted for ongoing evaluation.
The program wraps up in November with a two-day consolidation course at Concacaf headquarters in Miami, Florida. There, referees will share their developmental journey, and mentors will assess their readiness for future high-profile assignments.