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.
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.
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....
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
Enjoy your weekend refereeing,
KangaCupRef
No comments:
Post a Comment