Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
Sylvester Campbell ... road to success was not an easy one.

Robert Bailey, Freelance Writer

THEY SAY lightning doesn't strike twice. However, for Jamaican international umpire Sylvester Campbell it happened when he and fellow countryman Dalton Hinds created history by becoming the first males to officiate in a World Netball Championship final last month.

The final was between Australia and New Zealand in Auckland, New Zealand and saw the Aussies taking the title.

Campbell first created history at the 2006 Commonwealth Games by being the first male to officiate in that final which, ironically, was also between Australia and New Zealand.

"It was a good experience and it also wasn't hard because I was preparing for this World Championship for the past two years," Campbell said. "I have been travelling Down Under and officiating twice a year and sometimes three times per year depending on the event that is happening down there," he explained.

Campbell said every time Australia and New Zealand had met over the past couple of years he had been invited to officiate the matches.

"So, I knew I was going to officiate at the World Championship. It was a good experience but I worked very hard for it and the results paid off for me," said Campbell.

Despite many challenges faced by umpires on the international stage, Campbell admitted that because of his experience he was not troubled by the media and other critics.

"I don't face a lot of problems in some places overseas. However, in New Zealand, the media tends to be a bit harsh on umpires there. But I think they picked us to officiate in this final based on our fitness, experience and ability to read the game," said Campbell.

Not an easy road

Campbell's road to success was not an easy one. He was not welcomed by some people in the sport. In fact, he said, he was mainly embraced and singled out by the outstanding Janet Johnson, who he says was 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.

"I don't have any ambition to coach the national team at the moment because I am enjoy umpiring and it is taking me a lot of places all over the world," he said.

However, the outspoken Campbell is not bothered about going where no man has been before, nor is he influenced by what others think.

His first major tournament was the 2005 World Youth tournament in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he went on to officiate in the semi-final between Australia and New Zealand.

'A' umpire status

He received the International Umpires Association Award (IUA) in 2005 from the International Federation of Netball Association (IFNA) underlining his status as one of the top umpires on the international stage.

Jamaica currently has a number of 'A' umpires (the top ranking for local officials), but only Campbell and Hinds can officiate in international matches because they are IUA awardees.

Growing up in the Kingston 12 area, Campbell's love for the game began in 1983 while attending Ardenne High where he watched then coach Margaret Beckford, the first president of the Jamaica Netball Association, conducting sessions with her charges.

The 39-year-old Campbell is the coach of defending Open league champions Tivoli Gardens and Omega.

Under Campbell's guidance, Tivoli Gardens won the Berger Paints league and the Intermediate Junior League in his first year of coaching.

"I went down to coach Tivoli in 1997 and a lot of people were afraid because of the geographical location and stigma that was attached to the community," he said. "But I had a big heart and I just thought that they were a bunch of talented girls down there and I went in and made a big difference in the community."

Build relationships

Campbell said his method was to create a strong connection with his players, helping them to believe in themselves, and that they could succeed at the highest level.

"You have to have a good relationship with your players , and out of this, you will achieve good results. You have to also treat them (the players) like a family," said Campbell.

He has coached a number of national players - present and past - including Kasey Evering, Peta-Gaye Thomas and Cleopatra Grant. The international career of Campbell is not about to end anytime soon either as, having tasted success and having seen what is to come, he says he will stick around for another four years to officiate in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Dehli, India.

Feedback: robert.bailey@gleanerjm.com