Introduction

Random and unofficial insights and happenings at Football Tournaments nationally from the officials perspective

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Control Issues

So finally took off at 5:45pm and making use of the next 90 minutes to blog offline.  The app works really smoothly on my Xperia Z so looks like it's my default this week during Kangacup for microblogging events around the grounds

Flight is full and only a few look like their part of the Tournament. Sunset is amazing and hopefully is a good omen for clear weather this week

Frustrated at missing the start after organising early departures from Cairns this morning.  Can't control all things I guess, similar to how games sometimes work out.  Regardless of your manmanagement, communication style, match prep and positive attitude, some games at high stakes tournaments just go south

Here comes the coffee service down the aisle - yep another caffeine hit to get me thru the evening

Rugby league referee across the aisle, going down to cover the game on Sunday afternoon.  His a bit casually dressed but I guess it's a travel day. He did the AIS scholarship last year and knew Lucien Laverne? from FFV - small world hey

I used to assess in Vic and looked at Lucien on a Manu Cup final when he was a teenager

Back to control or losing it in games. I'll use the old analogy of flying a jet. To fly from Bris to Kangacup you don't make big, sudden changes in direction but small incremental steps. That way the referees assessor drinking his 5th coffee of the day doesn't spill any and gets madder.  The pilot also consults a map (GPS system nowadays) to guide him and keep on track to the final destination.
So if you see / feel your match this week going off the map, make usage if your GPS's(Go early to get closer to play, Position yourself best to see fouls, Seek advice from the coaches / mentors on how to improve)  The small "s" is for Sanction when necessary but be sure - many Kangacup alumni have given their first Red Card at the Tournament.  If this happens this week, talk to someone after your day about it (other refs, mentors, your favorite coach) as it helps you to think about you actions and deal with any stress you may feeling - remember we all had a first time

Make small improvements each game, see what works and reject what doesn't. Just remember to make small changes so you don't suddenly steer off course and upset the assessor (and a few players / coaches)
Kanga is a great place to try new ideas and ask questions from your peers

There's lots of theory about this we'll cover this week but there's my two cents worth from 25,000 feet

Coming into land, looking forward to a great week

See you soon

The joy of flying not

So still in Brisvegas and the word is delayed until 5pm, no idea what happened my plane but is frustrating - could have spent more time at the conference, having lunch with my bro (thanks mate, BEST meal I'll eat this week) or even gone to collect my new camcorder for Kangacup

So another coffee on Virgin's bill and plane watching.  Persistent and sneak into the lounge
See you all sooner or later


Kangacup 2013 the refs are gathering

Just a quick note from Cairns airport using the blogger android app

I'm heading back to Brisbane for 3 hrs before continuing to Kanga for another year of fun, late night's loading up pics and blogging, helping to coordinate the Academy refs and catching up with old colleagues.

Hope to get some sleep on the two planes today as was already up late two nights working in the slide show for tonight

Excited once again but hope the weather is good

For all the officials travelling today be safe and I'd be stoked to hear about your adventures enroute

There's my flight, check-in with the blog all day as I get closer to Kangacup13

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Manchester United Premier Cup - Qld Finals

Hey tournament fans,

Been a long time between posts, but waited until I had something to say and today had a great experience back refereeing the Manchester United Premier Cup, almost 10 years since my last game on this international tournament.  I was involved in it's first year in Melbourne, sometime around early 2000's as a referee and the high level of skill and excitment of sudden death tournament play is still evident.

With 9000 teams competing from 43 countries, its a amazing concept and I was lucky to be on the final game today.  Originally the Qld finals were scheduled about a month ago, but due to weather issues and teams travelling from outside Brisbane metro area the dates were moved to today and given it's holidays, lots of young potential up and coming refs weren't avaiable.  So with a highly experienced crew (number of years refereeing experience must have been into the 100's), we began the first of three pool games at 12noon out at SouthPine Sports Complex.

Teams participating from the new National Premier League competition, standards were high and agression high initially.  Conditions stayed warm, with rain during the consolidation playoff matches and many players suffering cramps late in the day. Good parent support, with Greg mentioning at one point "its the biggest crowd I've refereed in front of".

The best part of the day was without doubt the crew of experienced officials.  Most over 40 years of age and ranging in experience (8 weeks to 20+ years), we all had a great fun day, working hard to make the right decisions, keep up with quick play, dealing with heat / sunscreen and pouring rain and cover extra games due to some no shows.  Supporting each other, giving positive feedback and working as very strong third teams on the fields.

Reflecting on the day, whilst the youngesters may have missed out this year locally on the experience, the energy in the room and on the field of play displayed by passionate, experienced referees meant that our respective ages wasn't a factor in any game.  And it's satisfying to know in a refereeing culture that sometimes overlooks the third group as "just making up the numbers".  Today we did what every referee wants, to be a part of the game but not the focus - the players and the competition were the focus.

So cheers and Thanks for your passion to some of the best referees in Football Brisbane:
Greg Birnie, Dale Price, Simon Brodie (the rookie), Tony Papa, Adrian O'Connor (AR1 Final), Peter Sams (AR2 Final)
Greg Birnie, Peter Sams, Dale Price
Thanks also to Bruce Dinsdale, Football Qld who coordinated for the day, chased lost balls and ran a nice tab for the officials at the canteen.  Hope Bruce does some PR on their web site to highlight the day.

For the record, Moreton Bay United 1 - Sunshine Coast FC 0 in the final, both teams suffering physically from 3 earlier games for fitness but still played fast and without giving an inch, the winning goal from a excellent free kick outside the box.  Moreton Bay now travel to the Wanders home ground Blackall Park in Sydney on 27-28 April.  Goodluck representing Qld boys.

Just a reminder, Kanga Cup 2013 is approaching fast.  If your interested in attending and want to get a feel for the biggest youth tournament in Australia, look at my past posts and/or contact me directly.

Back to recovery (cheeky white wine) and posting some pictures to FB. 

If your attending tournaments and have a story to share, would love to hear it. 
Good refereeing if your season is kicking off next weekend, have fun and show a few cards for me.



Sunday, February 3, 2013

Preseason Seminar Football Brisbane

Hey folks,

Figured it was time to kickoff the blog again for the football season.  And how better than a overview of the Football Brisbane Senior seminar, held today at Griffith University, Mt Gravatt.

Good turnout, approximately 130 members arrived from 8:30am and we started on time with Ted in command.  Recognition was given to the local's who've achieved FIFA badges for 2013, with the amazing statistic that 45% of FIFA badges allocation for Australia originate from Football Brisbane / Qld.  Des Miles was recoginized for his OAM in the recent Australia Day awards and Jim Bellos National Finalist Local Hero award.

Also announced and recognized were this years attendees to the Dallas Cup in the USA.  Rebecca Durcau, Jason Crow (Kanga alumni 2007) and John Peters (assessor / coach) will represent FB in 201.  According to reports from previous attendees, this is an amazing development opportunity, a huge international tournament (180 teams, 13 countries, U/13 - U19 plus a Super Group) and is a great networking opportunity with referees from across the planet competing. Sounds like Kanga Cup really, just BIGGER like most things American.

Paul Eldridge took us briefly through the 2013 changes to the LOTG.  Perhaps the only challenge in new laws this season will be the tape on socks issue, but consistency in approach will ensure teams adapt to the new changes quickly.

Ted concluded the morning section with range of local instructions.  FB will be implementing the National Key Performance Indicators, sourced from the Refereeing Strategic Plan, specifically:
  • Protecting Player Safety
  • Protecting the image of the Game
  • Being proactive in having a posiive impac on player behaviour
  • Dealing with Dissent
We learnt techniques for dissent management, the value of attention to detail in game management (correct distance at FK, onside KO's, TI from where they went out, subs and equipment checking) and a review on Advantage recognition, with lots of quality video examples.


  
Mark Shield

After a quick morning tea of networking and renewing friendships, Mark Shield (FFA National Technical Committee Chairman and previously National Director) was present (some say he flew in on his helicopter!!!) to give a update on the Strategic Plan and 2013 priorities.  This was part of a coordinated plan to have FFA representatives attend several State Referee conferences occuring today nationally.  FFA recognized that more communication to grass roots is required and Mark's presentation covered areas such as the new NTC / STC structure, members, National Talent Pool and new pathways into Elite refereeing levels.
I took away that whilst information has been provided several times in 2012 about the new directions for referee development, there is still lots of work to be done to ensure everyone hears, sees and understands the opportunities in referee development, but the future looks to be moving forward.  Mark's passion for football and referee development appears unabaited and it was great to see him again.  Hopefully the updates will be on the FFA's web site soon to allow a wider audience to grasp this years priorities.

Ted briefly covered administrative information about the new appointments system and then we had lunch.
Following some pasta and another coffee, Tony Sarai presented on the value of Financial Planning and generated some ideas for me and others in the room on a issue most of us have given little time to previously.  Always a tough slot to present directly after lunch.

AR Team work and Best Practice was quickly fit in by Ashley and David with videos from the EPL and HAL to focus us back on the role of the AR and offside techniques, specifically:

  • Always be in line
  • Wait and See
  • Give advantage to the attacking team
  • Use Peripheral vision
  • Consult with the referee and make the decision together
Again, great to hear from the guys at the top of the game currently talk about their experiences recently on the HAL and the challenge of being a AR at this level.

Henry had a brief note about assessments being moved inline with HAL assessments this season and no number / score will be put onto the report.  I agree that this is a positive move by the technical committee, to have referees focus on the content and comments instead of just the metric of a score out of ten.  Certainly this will create lots of discussion at coaching meetings during the year, but again is a example of FB moving forward postively and setting the pace in referee coaching nationally.

Time and lots of content / discussions and questions shortned the schedule, but everyone seemed happy when 4pm rolled around and seminar wrapped up for 2013.  Great to see the new faces of junior referees who are moving up into seniors this year and big shoutout to my lunch crew.

Special mention to Les and Robert who would have won the furthest travelled in the day for the seminar (600km, 6 hours in a car).

Thats it for now - training continues on Tuesday and working towards the fitness test on March 12.  Further seminars for youth and assessors over the next two weeks and preseason matches continue the build up for the season's start early in March.

Did your branch have its seminar today?  If so, would love to hear how it went, who guest starred, how was the food at lunch?

Until next time.