MARC STAMP, STAR Writer

Jamaica's lone female referee assessor, Margaret Sutherland, admited that it is difficult to balance her work in football, job, school, and personal life. However, her love for the sport is the driving force.

"It takes a lot, but I continue my work in football because of the passion," Sutherland told STAR Sports recently.

As an assessor, she has to adjudge the performance of the referees. It is done on a points basis.

After being encouraged and recommended by former FIFA referee Peter Prendergast, Sutherland was selected last year. She travelled to the Cayman Islands as an assessor in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Under-15 female tournament. She also worked in that capacity in the CFU Under-17 World Cup qualification in Suriname this year.

Sutherland's journey started more than 20 years ago. She had a short time with Wild Cat as a player, but was quickly discouraged from playing by friends because of her involvement in the church.

However, she was appointed manager of St Matthews Anglican Church, Allman Town, and won several Manager of the Year awards in the Whole Life Ministries Church football league.

In 1996, she joined the Jamaica Referees Association. After 11 years as a local ref, she walked away because of a hip injury that required therapy.

"I could not manage refereeing anymore. It was too much physically," Sutherland said.

She later moved into the administration of the sport and spent nine years with the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA). Prior to that, she spent two years as a KSAFA committee member.

She was employed to the Jamaica Football Federation where she spent two years as manager of competitions. She was made redundant.

Sutherland was later selected as a match commissioner by the JFF and is also a liaison officer. For the last four years, she has been chairperson of the Kingston and St Andrew referee group.

With all her involvement in football, she is also pursuing a bachelor's degree in sports science with a major in sports management at the University of Technology.

"It is hard, but you have to properly manage your time. It is a lot of work," she said.

The graduate of Camperdown High School is thankful that she has an understanding boss in Prendergast, at Sport Gear Limited.

"He is very supportive in what I do. In order to finish school, I work flexi-hours," she said.

She also said her spouse is also very supportive,

"I intend to continue making a mark in the sport, and I'm also encouraging other females to get involved in football."

Sutherland's only regret is "not making the FIFA list as a referee," she said.