During the opening ceremony, CONCACAF officials including General Secretary Philippe Moggio, Deputy General Secretary Ted Howard and Director of Refereeing Brian Hall highlighted the potential of referees in our region and CONCACAF�s commitment to providing the tools for success. �As the excitement is building up for our upcoming major competitions, CONCACAF and its refereeing department have created this program to meticulously prepare the match officials for high-paced games on the biggest stages within the region,� said Moggio. �As representatives of CONCACAF, we are counting on our officials to ensure there is healthy competition, while maintaining the spirit of fair play.� Mexican referee Roberto Garcia recognizes the importance of these courses in order to improve his own performance on a continuous basis. �Working hard and maintaining discipline are crucial aspects to deliver key results. A referee must prepare to be competitive 365 days a year, enjoy each and every game, and give the best,� said Garcia, the center official for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup final between Uruguay and France in Turkey. �Football has grown a lot and these international competitions reflect all the work you have done.� Garcia, a referee for more than 20 years, worked at the historic Copa America Centenario USA 2016 and has been part of the officiating crews at CONCACAF Gold Cup and Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League matches. In December, he will have the opportunity to officiate at the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2016. �I�m very passionate about refereeing. In order to officiate at an elite level within CONCACAF, you need to meet several requirements, including solid physical and mental preparation. After participating in several programs provided by the Confederation, I have been able to advance in my career. Refereeing at important competitions such as the Gold Cup is a major responsibility and preparation is key to succeed on the pitch�, said Costa Rican referee Ricardo Montero. He has refereed at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015, in addition to several CONCACAF competitions, including the 2015 Gold Cup. Montero is also a referee candidate for the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018.