(From l to r) Philipp Kreutzer, Talen Pinxteren, EPL Referee Peter Walton, Sam Murphy, Anthony Paraschos

Local junior referees, Sam Murphy, Philipp Kruetzer, Anthony Paraschos and Talen Pinxteren have recently returned from Canberra where they officiated on matches in the 2010 McDonalds Kanga Cup.

The tournament is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere and continues to attract teams from around Australia and also the world, including teams from New Zealand and a very highly drilled team from the Republic of Korea. This year there was an international flavour in the refereeing ranks also, with referees and coaches from New Zealand and England, including experienced FA and English Premier League Referee, Mr. Peter Walton.

Peter Walton was a special guest at the tournament and was the key-note speaker at the pre-tournament seminar, outlining some aspects of officiating in the English Premier League and covering some key topics such as Concentration and Man-Management. His experience was well utilised during the week, with many visits around the grounds to watch the officials and give helpful tips and coaching strategies.

As in previous years, our referees performed well and were duly rewarded with finals matches.

• Philipp Kreutzer U12 Boys Plate Final Assistant Referee
• Talen Pinxteren U13 Boys Cup Final Assistant Referee
• Sam Murphy U15 Boys Cup Final Assistant Referee
• Anthony Paraschos U16 Boys Cup Final Assistant Referee

The four referees gained alot from the experience and enjoyed the opportunity to get coaching advice and inspections from very highly credentialed mentors from other areas of Australia and overseas.

This is continued proof that the Far North Coast Referees are committed to providing opportunities to our referees to assist in their development as a referee and we look forward to maintaining this support for members in the future.

Due to the high number of rescheduled games because of wet weather, the high number of members who changed their availabilities LATE and our need to fulfill appointments toevery game, this weekends total appointments will not be finalised until tomorrow evening – Wednesday.

Could I ask AGAIN for all members to ensure their online availability is up to date as at SUNDAY night for the coming weeek. Send an email as well if you like, just so you know we have it if your availabilities change.

Tiarna Kinnear and Sam Murphy, at the NNSW Football State Championships in Coffs Harbour

Tiarna Kinnear and Sam Murphy, accompanied by coach and mentor, Shane Fletcher recently travelled down to Coffs Harbour to participate in Northern NSW Football’s TAP Camp (Talent Acceleration Program) and officiate at the Northern NSW Football State Championships for 12 Years Boys and Girls. They were joined by 11 other officials selected from the other refereeing zones in Northern NSW.

The week was used mainly as a development opportunity for the referees, giving them a chance to get mentored and coached by some highly credentialed referees coaches including State Coach and A-League Inspector, Ossie Bellamy, but it was also a chance for all match officials to impress and be identified for selection to represent Northern NSW Football at the Boys and Girls National Titles that would follow later in the year.

Each morning would involve a substantial breakfast before arriving at the pristine and immaculate BCU International Stadium ready for a full day of matches. After consideration by the coaches, all match officials were placed into ‘trios‘ in which they would operate for the duration of the tournament on a rotation basis so that everyone got an appropriate amount of time appointed in the centre. The other two members of the trio would act as the Assistant Referees.

After each match day concluded, the group of referees travelled back to the hotel and completed a cool down session in the outdoor pool. Each night was also accompanied by a debrief by Ossie Bellamy that outlined the positives and negatives of that particular day and some things he thought needed to be addressed by the match officials.

This experience was no doubt beneficial for not only Tiarna and Sam, but also Shane as well as he was able to communicate with Ossie and the other coaches/mentors at the tournament and see first-hand the latest refereeing coaching trends and techniques, and he can now bring these back to the referees in our zone.

As at 10.00am, Saturday 10th July;

The following grounds are CLOSED for the ENTIRE WEEKEND:-

• S1 and S2 (Ballina)
• Byron Bay Rec grounds
• Balzer Park (Dunoon)
• E1 and E2 (Richmond Rovers)
• KyH (Kyogle)
• Nimbin Headers
• SkHd (Lennox Head)
• SL1 (South Lismore)
• W’burn 1 (Woodburn)
• WP1 and WP2 (Goonellabah)
• Mullumbimby Rec Grounds – two matches transferred to Shores (see below)
  1:00pm Mens Fifth Division – M’bimby v Lismore Thistles
  3:00pm Mens Fourth Division – M’bimby v Lennox Head
  Mens Second Division  Mullumbimby v Richmond Rovers - Postponed

The following clubs will conduct inspections before 10am Saturday:-

• Bangalow (Mens Third & Second is now being played on Bang West; Sixth & Fourth postponed) Further inspection will be made for Sunday games and advised to visting clubs if ground closed. Alternatively ring the Bangalow wet weather line which will be updated by 10am Sat and Sun 6626 7111
• Goonellabah
• Lismore Workers
• Pottsville

As of 5.00pm, Friday 9th July;

The following grounds are CLOSED for TONIGHT (Friday 9th July):-

• CP1 (Alstonville)
• Balzer Park (Dunoon) – A review will be carried out tomorrow morning for games on Saturday.
• WP1 (Goonellabah)
• Rec12 (Lismore Workers) – (Womens Premiers - Lismore Workers v Bangalow match transferred to Sunday 2.30pm, still at Rec 12)
• Mullumbimby (Womens Third – M’bimby v Souths match transferred to Shores, 7pm)
• Koala Beach (Pottsville)
• E2 (Richmond Rovers)

As at 3.00pm Friday 9 July, the following grounds are OPEN for TONIGHT (Friday 9th July):-

• Casino
• Eureka
• Italo Stars

The following grounds are CLOSED for the ENTIRE WEEKEND:-

• S1 and S2 (Ballina)
• Byron Bay Rec grounds
• KyH (Kyogle)
• SkHd (Lennox Head)
• SL1 (South Lismore)
• W’burn 1 (Woodburn)
• Mullumbimby Rec Grounds – two matches transferred to Shores (see below)
  1:00pm Mens Fifth Division – M’bimby v Lismore Thistles
  3:00pm Mens Fourth Division – M’bimby v Lennox Head
  Mens Second Division  Mullumbimby v Richmond Rovers - Postponed

The following grounds are CLOSED for TOMMORROW:-

• Bang 3 (Bangalow) – BANGALOW WEST IS OPEN

The following clubs will conduct inspections before 10am Saturday:-

• Bangalow
• Dunoon
• Goonellabah
• Lismore Workers
• Pottsville
• NH1 (Nimbin) – Mens 4th Division and Womens 2nd Division POSTPONED. Mens 4th Division is still being played.

Our next General Meeting for 2010 will be held on Tuesday the 20th of July at the South Lismore Bowling Club, commencing at 7.00pm.

All current members who live in or South of Byron Bay are expected to attend.

At the conclusion of this meeting we will have a referee coaching session.

All members are asked to please email our secretary, Luke Mackney, by Sunday the 18th of July to confirm their attendance.

Crawford Park 1 (CP1) is open today Sunday 4th July for scheduled fixtures.

Uki is closed for Sunday 4th July.

Lismore Thistles is closed for Sunday 4th July.

Lismore Workers (Rec 12 & Rec 3) are closed for Sunday 4th July.

Nimbin Headers is closed for Sunday 4th July.