Tayte Browne is relishing the chance to pursue and enjoy his passion for football both as a player and official.

The 11-year-old has made steady strides playing as a goalkeeper for FC Bascome and Saltus Grammar School as well as refereeing at youth level and serving as an assistant referee at senior men’s and women’s matches.

Browne enjoyed success with Saltus having helped them win the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools Tournament Under-13 boys title in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in October.

“It was a good experience playing against different teams than we are used to and in a different country,” Browne, who only conceded one goal at the competition, told The Royal Gazette. “We played teams from all over Canada, won all our games and were the Division 1 champions.

“It is the first time Saltus has ever won the Division 1 Championship, so it was a good accomplishment for us and a fun experience to have.”

Tayte has big ambitions in the sport, which he is striving towards.

“I hope to play for Manchester United and win the World Cup as the best goalkeeper in the world,” he declared.

The promising athlete’s enormous passion for the beautiful game comes as no surprise given the sport runs deep in the family.

“My dad is a big football fan and played in his younger days and my older brothers all played, so it is in our family. I just started playing once I was old enough to join a team,” he said.

“I have always played in goal and my favourite player is David de Gea because he was the goalkeeper for my favourite team Manchester United and was the best in the world.”

Tayte embarked on a new journey in the sport after volunteering his services as a referee and referee assistant.

He is among a crop of young officials who have stepped in to fill the void created by an alarming lack of officials on island.

“When I would watch my older brothers play and they needed a linesman I would volunteer to do it,” he added. “I was then told that if I get registered and do some training I could get paid to do it.

“So I asked my dad to sign me up and do the training so I could get paid. Then last January I was watching my brother play again and they were short of a linesman so I went over to Mr Williams [Bermuda Football Association head of referees committee Crenstant Williams] who was the match commissioner and offered to do it and he said ‘go ahead’.

“After that game he called my dad and said he was very impressed with the job I did and he wanted me to do some training sessions with the overseas Fifa instructors that were coming down so that I could get assigned more games.”

Tayte also harbours lofty ambitions as an official.

“I plan to continue officiating as much as I can, alongside playing football,” he said. “My dream is to be a professional goalkeeper and once I retire from that I would return to officiating.”