Tashun Simons is continuing to carve his path in the footballing world, as he aims to one day fulfil his dream of refereeing a Fifa international.

Since becoming the first Bermudian football official in more than a decade to be named on the Fifa International Referees List in 2017, Simons, has made steady progress overseas, being selected as a referee’s assistant for two matches in the Concacaf Nations League last year, as well as an international friendly between the United States and Venezuela and a host of Olympic Games qualifiers, including Grenada, Cayman Islands and Haiti this year.

Having turned 25, Simons is now eligible for his full Fifa referee badge, however, the former Young Men’s Social Club striker, conceded he will spend the next year continuing as an assistant referee for Fifa, gaining more experience, while he waits to take the next step up.

“The matches this year were definitely another step up compared to what I had done before but thankfully they didn’t feel completely different, which gave me confidence and a morale boost,” Simons said.

“They were quite intense occasions because, again, it was at a professional level, but it was more about keeping pace with the game and staying focused.

“I’m back on the Fifa list for 2020, so internationally I’ll be working as an assistant for the next year. Hopefully, by the end of March, I will have a few more confirmed matches lined up.

“Becoming a referee with Fifa is definitely achievable; everything is. They have already seen me working as an assistant and it’s just a case of making that transition.”

With his ultimate dream on standby, for the immediate future at least, Simons is deciding what direction to take next as he continues his progression.

“It’s still a little up in the air in terms of what I’m actually going to do moving forward,” he added.

“I have to decide whether to step away from being an assistant and then waiting a year to possibly be put on as a referee or continue progressing as an assistant.

“Fifa have implemented a few more things to try and raise the standard of refereeing, but because I’m already in the system with a Fifa badge, for me it is about maintaining a high standard in what I do.

“Things have got harder, but because I’m already on the list, for me it just a case of proving myself and waiting patiently for that call to be made.

“I have to be patient, that’s all I can do and, when it does happen, I have to make the most of it. My dream is to be a referee and I’ll keep striving for that and we’ll see.”

While pondering his own international future, Simons spoke of the importance of making a valid contribution to helping the greater good, raising the standard of officiating on the island and guiding the next generation of young officials.

“A big part of any decision is also thinking about what is best for everyone and not just myself,” Simons added. “Originally, I didn’t want to be an assistant referee, but Bermuda needed someone on the Fifa list and so I went with it. It’s definitely about helping others. There was a big gap between myself coming through and the next lot of officials. I have to play a part in bridging that gap.

“I don’t want to step away from being a Fifa assistant referee, leave a hole and then we have to wait four to five years for another Bermudian official to possibly get a Fifa badge.

“Right now, we are trying to get the younger officials the same training as we do at senior level.

“We have to keep that progression going to reach the Fifa standard. We are definitely seeing younger generations coming into refereeing and also females which is really encouraging.

“The women’s side of the game is growing massively and there’s definitely good signs going forward for the future.”