first soccer referee to win the Referee of the Year award for the second straight time.

It marks the first time that anyone has won it in consecutive years, which is a feat Simons is particularly proud of.

While claiming to have been satisfied with his overall performance this season, Simons said that winning the award still came as a surprise.

"I was pleasantly surprised when I learned that I had won again, especially since a lot of the other referees had a very good season,'' he said.

But he pointed out that he had not set out to win the award again.

"I just did what I was supposed to do. I was assigned to do various matches and I showed up and did them to the best of my ability, nothing more and nothing less.

"I don't think I won because I was outstanding, probably more so because I was just consistent. I don't know the selectors who were responsible for picking the winner, but I assumed they were looking at people who were consistent and dedicated.'' Like most referees, Simons has his sights on going to the top and his goal is to be FIFA listed. The only current FIFA listed official in Bermuda right now is Esten Curtis.

For somebody who just started out refereeing seven years ago, Simons has come a long way. He is currently a Class Two referee but should gain First Class recognition soon.

A teacher at West End Primary, Simons attributed his progress to some of the senior referees like Curtis and Rex Osborne and several others who are lower ranked. And he firmly believes that his success has come about because of the respect the players have for him.

Frank Drayton was voted runner-up to Simons for the second consecutive year.

CALVIN SIMONS -- Bermuda's top referee for the second straight year.