Sunday, July 12, 2009

The Two Pauls - Mariners match

Norm, Lynda & Allyson @ Mariners match

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Saturday 11th - Travel Day

Hey Kanga followers,


Well the trip up the Hume was again a joy to behold, with a large electronic sign just after Albury indicating "Road Works for next 125km" - Oh great, lots of 80 zones, but it was a pleasure to drive in a bigger vehicle.

Danielle was my company, travelling companion from Shepparton to kept me awake to avoid trees and another 80 construction zone. A nice day, but don't go looking for a toilet in Holbrook unless you pack a lunch first.

The interstate referees HQ is up and running, here in at the undisclosed location in south Canberra. The amenties are interesting, a lot like summer camp, but the common room is fine and will suit the needs of everyone (big screen, Foxtel, pool table, Playstation 3 onto a hastly hung sheet) and lots of coffee supplies for the coaches.


Everyone has arrived I believe and a formal site orientation was conducted by a local live on site house parent (its a boarding school normally) who is also a local referee. A few words were shared from the coaching staff about looking after each other and living together and then dinner. Typical camp fare, not 5 star but it filled the gap and looks good for the week - a improvement from last year where you had to fight with the players to get feed sometimes.



Some of the social activities have already commenced, with those of age heading out after dinner to see the local sites and partake of amber fluids. The youngesters amused themselves around the common area and hopefully have started to form those Kanga friendships. I busied myself with laptop and new printer issues, having a chat with returners and trying to remember some of the names I meet earlier - lots of new faces in the crowd this year, potentially the next FIFA referee somewhere here?????



Coaches are meeting with Clive at 10am tommorrow (should be fun), followed by everyone else at 11am and then a BBQ - this should be a great opportunity for everyone to get to know one another and relax, before the business of the week commences. The A-League preseason friendly after that, and finally the opening Ceremony, which I'm looking forward to :)



All quiet now and I hope the last out remembered to turn off the data projector!!!!!



Heading to bed - been a busy day and we haven't yet heard a whistle blow in anger.



Your chief correspondent,


Ruralref (on assignment @ Kanga Cup)

Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/KangaCupRef

Monday, July 6, 2009

Kanga Cup 2009 - Are you ready????

Hey Kanga Cup Referees,

By now you'll all be packing your bags and cleaning your boots for Kanga '09. With Scotty's blessings, I'm once again posting here for your admusement and enjoyment, even if you cannot attend Kanga this year.

With 7 days until the opening game, here's a few new things for referees.

New accommidation venue - Canberra Grammar School, on the south side. But it has a pool, so recovery sessions look to be on - bring your speedos!!!
Hopefully not too far from a wifi spot, or my blog posts will be few and far between.

New manager - Adam Castle - Good luck Adam, its a big job

Coaches - the same experienced hands are back to stead the ship, with Darren Q. being added to the ranks.

BBQ for referees following the seminar on Sunday - good chance to socialize with ACT guys and girls and excellent addition

Central Coast are playing a pre-season match directly after the referees seminar on Sunday - should be good to see some of the top folks running about and sweating it up.

Refs football match appears off the list of events, but perhaps thats a good thing!! It might be back unofficially if there is enough interest on Saturday.

Anyway, remember to pack lots of extra socks / shirts / towels and warm stuff for post game. Weather is usually poor for Kanga and its COLD, COLD, COLD.

And pack your fitness, you'll need it.

Posting from inner Victoria

Ruralref

Friday, August 1, 2008