352 days and Counting...

Hi everyone
Well I'm setting new records this year in KCRYA history, finally leaving Canberra this morning in the company of Yr 6 students from my school after a second week at the AIS. I've finally seen most of Canberra's historic locations (laser tag must be in the schedule next year) and skied at Mt Selwyn yesterday on a 20cm base. Exhausted but content I figured some post Kanga observations as we return to our normal, weekend passion.



Whilst I tried hard to get everything up on Flickr last weekend it isn't complete and hopefully will get done this weekend. Paul's early photos and some random ones will be added to the 2900 photos already there, another KCRYA record.

The social side of Kanga is one of its best features I believe, allowing everyone current and Alumni to share the experience, reconnect and reflect on their achievements. I was really please this year with the local sharing of photos within the Academy, even if it took a few days to configure correctly. I always enjoy the technology challenges, even if I've created them myself.

Its those connections you make at any tournament or intensive experiential program that you really take home with you. In a years time you wont remember which games you did, how many sanctions you gave out or where you put your KangaCup scarf. You'll remember the faces, some of the names and how you connected with them.

I really felt it this year with my 10th year being acknowledged by Capital Football. All those faces and memories being shared as I looked back to try and connect the 2016 Coaches with those that have gone before, trying to learn from history and not repeat mistakes. Tradition I guess plays its part, or perhaps its just nostalgia.

Particularly it was full circle with the visit of Kanga Alumni Chris Beath and Jarred Gillett, two of the best in both their refereeing careers and in just who they are as people.



They both attended Kanga as youth referees, most likely before they had been noticed as #futureelite under the guidance of Norm Armstrong from Football Brisbane. Norm was an amazing coach with a real passion for youth development in terms of your refereeing abilities and equally in helping young people grow to become good people. He served 11 years as assessor, coach, bus driver, counsellor, chief librarian, friend and mentor to many #futureelite, referees and coaches equally. I believe he would have been proud to see his Brissie boys returning as Professional Referees and inspiring role models to the current version of the Academy, quietly taking some pride in that connection from 15 years prior. But being Norm, he'd never acknowledge it.

So whilst you return this weekend to your regular local junior or senior leagues, hopefully taking renewed energy and drive to improve, learn, share, excel, doing Portuguese warmups



or even just sharing KangaCup memories with curious , skeptical colleagues, remember your now part of a larger socially conscious and connected family. And your connected to Chris and Jarred, because of Norm

6 Degrees of Separation

So please remember, not everyone will understand your time in the Academy. You just sometimes need to be "in the room" to understand and appreciate what KCRYA means, both in how improved your refereeing skills and knowledge is, but more importantly in how you're a different young person as a result of making these connections.

As a wise Taylor once said

http://youtu.be/6-sYTAHtzXM

so be prepared to get some pushback.  But with patience and time, your local coaches and sceptical collegues will see the positives.

As time and distance increases from KangaCup 2016, the stories will be retold, embellished a little more each time and perhaps your journey will bring you back someday as a Guest presenter to eager young minds. You just never know....

REMINDER - if you want a voice in improving the Academy and KangaCup experience for #futureelite fill in Alasdair's feedback form sent out this week

Enjoy your weekend refereeing,

KangaCupRef

20 Days and counting...

Well hello there again,

It's that time of the year, when I dig into blogger and return to my forgotten child (this blog) to try and generate some Kanga Cup excitement within the refereeing family.

It's been a busy few weeks with many emails and communication about the planning and schedule of the Academy flying between the regular coaches and the new KC Referee Coach Coordinator Andrew Higginson.  Andrew is a Capital Football local referee and coach / assessor and has stepped into the role with lots of energy and new ideas for the 2016 tournament.

Some key teasers I can share at this stage

30 Academy Referees attending - still looking for more as of two days ago.

12 Coaches in attendance, plus a bigger Capital Football admin crew all staying at the Australian Institute of Sport

Recovery sessions nightly supervised by NZ FIFA Fitness Instructor Greg Gallop

2 new venues from 2015 - Downer and Charnwood but losing Kaleen - ahh the memories....

This years Presenters are the best in the business and is a reflection of the value this Academy has become in development of young referees

Allyson Flynn (FIFA Assistant Referee, off to the Olympics in Rio), 

Ben Williams (FIFA Referee, World Cup 2014 / Olympics 2012), 

Allyson, Ben, Matthew, Owen together for first time as ACT Crew on Aleague - All Kanga Cup Alumni
© http://www.gettyimages.com.au/

Chris Beath (FIFA Referee, recently officiating in the AFC's U23 Championships)  

Jarred Gillett (FIFA Referee, A-League G/Final Referee 2016, recently Referee of the Kirin Cup Final https://t.co/0lUdsCq1G0),

Chris, Ben, Jarred FFA's Full Time Crew - © AIS

Plus your usual house full of experience and wisdom from Capital Football, Interstate and across the ditch (NZ) coaches who are there to look after your health, happiness and enjoyment of the tournament.

A likely bunch of coaches

Capital Football are still looking for additional referees, so if you think you have what it takes to step into some big shoes, live and breath refereeing with other 15-18yos for 7 days, have 2+ years experience, seeking your first international tournament experience or just wanting to get some midseason coaching and development happening and can get yourself to Canberra on 2nd July - 8th July, please contact Alasdair.Grocock@capitalfootball.com.au 

Further updates to follow...stay tuned

New Year Refereeing (own) Goals??

Hi everyone,

Whilst my internet connection uploads 187 pictures from this mornings NYL fixture here in Brisbane featuring Kanga Cup Alumni Daniel Olsen

I figured it was time to revisit the blog and generate some early pre-season excitement and to post again, first time since August.

Lots of internet lists around new year resolutions are no doubt filling your social media feeds, but I figured few if any are football referee focused, so here's my try at it.

In no apparent order:

• Get back into shape for matches - pre-season games commenced in December for some local leagues here, so it'll only get busier in the coming weeks.  If you tend to put on weight due to Christmas festivities and lazy weekends, it's easier to work on getting back to your ideal weight before the season commences and it'll take time and dedication.
  
• If you don't have the advantage of a group training session, put some of that Christmas money (from your distant relatives) towards a decent fitness watch.  I recently purchased a Garmin Fenix 3 and loving the features of having a training program that motivates me to do daily solo runs towards a set goal twelve weeks hence.  Along with the relevant food tracking apps and heart rate monitor, it's helping to keep me on a diet and setting some short term goals in terms of personal fitness.
  
• Review where your career progression is going and compare it to what the FFA currently provides as a structure in the Australian Officiating  Development Schedule.  Make a plan for this season, goals if you must as to where you'd like to be in 9 months (The Finals).  But be realistic about your experience and age - talk with your peers, your mentors and coaches for advice and guidance as each state / competition zone tends to apply different rules or requirements for progression.  But have somewhere to aim for beyond just earning your winter income and saving up for that PS4 game.
  
• Be a big picture thinker and make goals for 2 seasons, 5 seasons and 10 seasons down the road. Again be realistic and SMART about them.
  
• Re-register with the FFA - no doubt your local branch / regional coach will drop you a reminder soon, but you cannot referee in 2016 without it and you'll not be appointed by your appointments officer without it to pre-season fixtures.
  
• Watch lots of Aleague if you can - there is lots to learn from watching (but not always listening to the commentary) whether your live at the ground or on TV.  They are the best in the country and are the standard your seeking to emulate down the road.
  
• Attend your local seminar for this years changes and to re-establish your network.  Three months have passed since September finals and you may have been (couch) surfing / chasing cricket balls or been mixing it up with those strange indoor football types in the off season.  Getting back together at the annual seminar is both factual and a chance to renew friendships, catchup with mentors and assessors and put your face about.  Consider it social networking without a tablet
  
• Find your referee bag, look into the bottom and find the 2015 LOTG and have a read (or view the updated 2015/2016 online if you prefer).  No doubt you'll experience the "surprise" Laws quiz at the seminar and the sooner you remind yourself of the ins and outs of Law 12 the less stressed you'll be when this occurs.  I found this Football West LOTG interactive site, whilst aimed at Level 4 candidates, has good quality video and is interactive - give it a go.
  
• As part of this Law revision, lots of usage is now made of Video assessment - you know, watch this video and decide if it's a Foul / Play On / Penalty / YC / RC.  So here's some current internet resources you should download (some are very big, so check your internet quota) and watch - much more fun than just reading the LOTG
  
• Current FIFA level Videos
  
• Current FFA Teaching Videos

As for me, I'm planning on updating the blog site and being more of a regular poster, taking lots of photos for positive social media presence (and fun for me with my new Sony A6000) for officials and continuing studying and working part time.  And of course continue to referee (for enjoyment and fitness) and encourage junior development / recruitment where I can.

What are your New Year Refereeing goals for 2016?

Kanga Cup is only 181 days away - is that one of your goals for 2016?

And to finish, some Peanuts themed wisdom from Kid President just because it's fun.

Enjoy your summer break and I'll see you on the field.