Kentucky Fried Chicken secured the services of Barbados’ lone female FIFA referee, Gillian Martindale to preside over the inaugural KFC Kick It football competition scheduled for Sunday August 8, 2010 at the Wildey, Astro Turf.

36 year old Martindale will also be in charge of the Masters exhibition game between rivals Wadadah and Wales at 4 p.m. which precedes the Kick It action which will feature 18 participants randomly selected after purchasing a KFC Big Box Meal competing for $10,000 in cash.

Although diminutive in size, Martindale is confident of having total control of the proceedings: “Some players will do anything to win, as a referee it is my responsibility to protect the game from violent behaviour, to ensure the safety of the teams and officials on and off the field and to ensure that the game is played within the spirit of fair play…although KFC Kick It is a fun competition I will still make sure it is fairly conducted.”

The admission to KFC Kick It is free thus the organizers are expecting a large and supportive crowd. Additionally, several attractive spectator prizes are being offered by the organizations that are supporting the family evening which will also have children’s attractions on the smaller warm-up field at the Wildey, Astro Turf.

Three 40” televisions donated by Courts (Barbados) Ltd, vouchers from Sports & Games, cases of Kick energy drink and KFC premiums can be won by lucky spectators who attend KFC Kick It.

KFC’s Marketing Coordinator, Shekelia Barrow is excited about having the expertise of such a distinguished referee: “Our official rules state that the decision of the referee is final thus KFC is extremely pleased to work with Martindale because she raises the level of the competition… I’m sure our participants and spectators will agree that a prize of $10,000 deserves to be officiated by a top ranking official.”

Martindale has been on the world’s governing body for football since 2009. Her recent duties included the CONCACAF Women’s U-20 finals in Guatemala City and the CFU Women’s Gold Cup finals in Trinidad and Tobago.

Later this month Martindale who is also a graphic designer is scheduled to officiate the CAC games in Puerto Rico where she will be looking forward to interacting and learning more about the game of football from her more experienced colleagues.