Dunstan De-Sa got much more than he bargained for after showing up for officiating duties at Wellington Oval on Sunday.

The 13-year-old Mount Saint Agnes student had been initially assigned as an on-field assistant to senior referee Anthony Francis for the Premier Division contest between St George’s Colts and Dandy Town.

However, De-Sa was completely taken by surprise when Francis handed him the whistle late in the second half, marking the teenager’s first time refereeing in the top flight.

“I didn’t see that coming. It was unexpected, my first senior game in the middle,” De-Sa told The Royal Gazette. “It was nice and I felt good about it.”

Demonstrating a maturity and awareness well beyond his years, De-Sa made a seamless transition and quickly stamped his authority on proceedings.

The youngster boldly brandished a red card to Town defender Ereico Outerbridge for a reckless tackle on St George’s substitute Jarreau Daniels.

“It was just how the game went and I had to give a red card,” De-Sa said.

Francis, the Bermuda Football Referees Association president, was pleased with how the youngster responded to the task after being thrown in at the deep end and hopes more local youngsters show an interest in officiating.

“Dunstan showed that he was prepared for it.” Francis said. “He made the correct decisions he had to make and I am looking forward to more youngsters stepping up and doing what Dunstan does,” he said.

“This has been a tradition for years and I remember when Anthony Mouchette and Lyndon Raynor gave me the opportunity in the last game to take a couple of minutes just to see how it feels,” Francis added.

“I think it’s important that youngsters get opportunities like that, especially when they are prepared for it.

“I am glad to see that my youngsters are starting to step up and just proud of all of my officials right now and looking forward to getting more for next season so I can retire.”

De-Sa was inspired to become involved in officiating two years ago by Bermuda Football Association second vice-president and referee committee chair Crenstant Williams. And the youngster hasn’t looked back.

“Mr Williams encouraged me to be a referee. I used to go to Purvis and he came to my school once and taught a match lesson and had heard about me,” the teenager said.

“Another time my brother [João] was playing in the Triangle Cup in the summer and Mr Williams asked if I wanted to be a referee and I said yes. So the next season I decided to do it.

“I enjoy it a lot actually; watching good football games and just being a part of the game. Officiating also keeps my options broad and I can always become a referee if I want to.

“The goal is, if I become an official, to referee the World Cup final. That’s my dream and it’s been going well so far. I just like officiating and to see where it takes me.”

The two-times Youth Referee of the Year, who turns 14 in September, made his debut refereeing at a senior level in the First Division last season.

“The first game I was a little nervous and kind of took some time to get into the game,” he recalled. “I knew I was well trained, so I trusted in my ability to officiate the game. From there, I think I had a pretty good first game of the season.

“I was refereeing Devonshire Colts and Ireland Rangers and l liked doing that game. Then I started doing more men’s games.”

De-Sa passed the test with flying colours and it wasn’t long before he was invited to be an assistant referee in the Premier Division later that same campaign.

His debut assignment as the main referee in the top flight on Sunday also featured Dandy Town.

“I did one Premier Division game [as assistant] last season between Dandy Town and Young Men’s Social Club and then more First Division games,” De-Sa said.

“My first Premier Division game this season was Devonshire Colts versus Devonshire Cougars Dudley Eve Trophy game.”

De-Sa’s football talents extend beyond officiating as he also plays as a goalkeeper for PHC’s under-13 and under-15 teams and the national academy under-15 team.

“My parents and brother encouraged me to play and I have always liked the sport. I started playing football at 3 and really enjoy it because it’s a way to express myself.”