Kick it Out - Raise Your Game Conference

If you want to find out about football?

If you want to be involved in football?

Kick it Out - Raise your Game is a conference you really need to go to.

Troy Townsend heads up 'Kick it Out'. Troy is one of the nicest Guy's I have ever met. The effort that him and his team put in to Kick it Out the organisation, along with all the subsidiary events that they get involved in, is immense. They work to better the world of football, to unify everyone, whatever colour, whatever sexuality, whatever age.

The 'Raise Your Game' conference is an absolute 'game-changer'. Troy and his team organise this event at a major stadium. This year was Arsenal, but it's been at Wembley before as well. They arrange for mentors who are at the top of their trade to come to the event, personnel from;

Coaching
Refereeing
Management
Media
Journalism
Gaming
Administration
Medical
Law
Welfare
Agents
Scouts

They arrange for relevant personnel to hold briefing sessions. People such as Guy Mowbray, who spoke about the world of commentating.

They hold mentoring sessions (kind of speed dating). Troys team take time to go through your requirements, hopes and dreams. They then arrange 15 minute one to one;s with the mentors in the field that you want to be in.

The contacts that I have made at this event have been second to none. Some have already helped me over the last year, others have become friends and associate's who are now asking me to be involved in activities.

Last week two people who I met for the first time 2 years ago asked me to be involved in exciting projects (which I will tell you about in the near future). This wouldn't have happened if I hadn't got involved in Kick it Out.

http://www.kickitout.org/raise-your-game/raise-your-game/raise-your-game-2016/

Getting the Media right

Can't believe how great this VT is. It gets everyone's attention, It's perfect. Fantastic PR by Emirates.

The only thing is - I wish I had been in it, I would love to do something like this, what a buzz.

Football Round-Up 17 April

Like I said - Busy week this last week.

Radcliffe Ladies - Two matches with Radcliffe;

Radcliffe v Sheffield (Steel City FC) - This i'd say we should have won, by far! It was one of those games where the scoreline didn't really reflect what occured in the game and sadly these games come along way to frequently. We had the majority of possession and created some fantastic opportunities for us to hit the back of the net, however we didn't execute these opportunities as well as we maybe would have on a different day. But i guess luck just wasn't on our side that day. The score ended up being 1-1. they scored first in the 33 minute and since then we dominated and get being creative until after an aspiring team talk, we finally managed to get one back to get to a draw. We then played the high pressure card for the rest of the 10 minutes remaining of the match, which i'll admit it was very tiring, it was a game where you could tell another goal was coming and we were going to come back from behind to win. However, this just wasn't the case for us which is a shame as we had played some really good football. With a bit more time and maybe luck, we would definitely of come out with 3 points instead of the 1, the game felt more of a loss then anything else.


Radcliffe v Peterborough - this game was always going to be a very tricky game for us, as a lot of our team were either on holiday, or some unfortunately had picked up injury prior to the game, so this didn't help the team too much, however when we got there spirits were still very high and we believed that we could still win, with player's all playing out there normal/comfortable positions, a different formation and a few players who hadn't played for a while, we all turned up and put a shift in on the hot Sunday afternoon. In my own opinion it was one of the best team game i have played in since joining Radcliffe Olympic Ladies. We were creating opportunities left, right and center and left the opposition feeling silly a lot of the time as the creativity was immense, and like what normally is the case we should have bagged more than two with the amount of opportunities we had within the 90 minutes. we kept possession well, communication was very good from the goal keep all the way through to the last man, and motivation and determination to chase down every ball and keep thinking smart lead us to a comfortable victory of 2-0 i would say. This was a very important game for us as we are now only a couple of games short of the cup final against Nottingham Forest Ladies, so it has given us a chance to explore what we can do and indicate improvements for the future game and develop our game as whole.

Refereeing;

I should have refereed at Nottingham Forest Academy last Sunday. I turned up (professionally early, suited and booted). The first team were still training, which they often are to be fair.They had a match against Brighton on the Monday night and were getting last minute training in. Normally the rest of the academy just gets on with training even though they are there, but this time we all had to be delayed. Because I was playing myself in the afternoon, I had to leave, which was a shame cos I love refereeing the academies, they are so fast and so technical.

Scouting

I am training to be a football scout. As with everything in football, it's not quite as easy as you think. I went to my first scout day last Monday. Around 100 Lads up to 18 years old trained and played like their lives depended on it. I played alongside them which was great. There were scouts from clubs such as Man City, Everton and Blackburn amongst others. Those attending the day had come from across the UK as well as some arriving from overseas.

There was an obvious nervousness first thing in the morning, with lads fidgeting with their boots and shin-pads, alongside parents fidgeting with keys, whilst trying to calm down their child. Some of the older lads turned up alone, bravely walking in and introducing themselves. For these guys it was now or never, at least the younger ones have got plenty of years for improvement.

Everyone was put at ease pretty quickly. Once we started playing, that natural desire to play football, that inbuilt love of the game just shone through. Guys were able to enjoy themselves, relax and play good football, and it was a good standard. Alas - this is football, only the top will be approached, and of them only the smallest percentage will ever run onto the hallowed pitch.

I enjoyed the day, meeting other scouts, being a part of the process. Seeing the complexity, and the enormity of this part of football. Over the last two years I have been getting more and more involved in the business of football, and it is quite incredible.

Ground Hopper Football

No - I'd never heard of it before last season either!!!!!

What is Ground Hopping? 

'Ground hoppers are people who love football, mainly Non League for several reasons really, the cost, the friendliness of the clubs and the people that run clubs. Some Groundhoppers go to a new ground every week, some even 2 or 3 new ones a week'.

The above is a quote by the wonderful Mr Rob Hornby;  http://aroundthegrounds2015-16.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/a-non-league-view-of-groundhop.html

There are a few special 'ground hopper' events. The main one being 5 matches over the period of a weekend. The matches are between rivals within the league, and are hosted by different teams. The whole weekend becomes an event, with the grounds supplying food, drink and various other activities such as bouncy castles. The first match is on the Friday evening, with four more on the Saturday. Some fans make a whole weekend of it, booking onto the organised trip, staying in a local hotel and being taken by coach from one match to another. 

There are also all sorts of collectors items to gather from one ground to another. The Friday night will have around 250 supporters, which will increase to around 1000 on the Saturday. The atmosphere is great and the 'ground hoppers' know and love their football. 

Rob brought the 'Ground hopping' event to the Central Midlands League from the Northern League over 14 seasons ago, and it has gone from strength to strength.Last year I was allocated to run the line at a ground hopper match for the Nottinghamshire Senior League. I hadn't a clue what it was about. I was amazed when I saw the number of fans. The atmosphere made it a wonderful evening. My Mum was in the crowd and said that the fans knew the teams and the players, and their interest in the league and teams was immense. 

In the past Sky Sports as well as the major newspapers have covered the events. I believe that some of the local TV and Newspapers will be attending a couple of the games 

The weekend sees the Groundhop begin with a 6.30pm kick off on Friday 29 April at Attenborough FC which is situated in Attenborough Village, where they entertain Awsworth Villa FC.

An early start on the Saturday Morning sees the first match held at The Hetley Pearson Ground  between Beeston FC v Underwood Villa FC at 10.05am. We then head to the Basil Russell Ground, where Bilborough United FC face Ashland Rovers FC with a 12.45pm kick off. Grassington Road, the home of Nottinghamshire FC sees them play Gedling Southbank FC at 3.15pm and we then finish with a 6.15pm kick off at the Inspire Stadium Ground when Real United FC host Unity FC

I have been allocated to referee the 1245 kick off at Basil Russell Ground, which should see a great game, and being the third match of the weekend, the atmosphere will be buzzing. I'm going to watch the Attenborough match on the Friday evening, as that is my local team. 

Local Teams

I must admit, that since becoming a referee I have loved visiting the local league teams. There is so much passion, such a family atmosphere, such love from supporters for their teams and great football. The facilities do differ quite a lot from one team to another, but that commitment is always the same. 

It would be amazing if people started to support their local team. It;s such fun, you can take all the family (including the dog!) and it usually costs around £3 each. There is always a little cafe providing chips and a bar for refreshments - That's cheaper than spending at the very least £200 for a family of four to go to premiership isn't it

March- ing Out

Busy old week last week.

Awsworth v Burton Joyce

I ran the line for the above match. The match for the most part wasn't too exciting, the football was still good, however it came from just one team. Awsworth. From the moment they entered the field of play they dominated every area of the pitch, Burton Joyce, it seemed, left everything they had in the changing room. Not many incidents occurred in the duration of the game, apart from the silly niggles that Burton were giving out of frustration towards the end. The score, as you would probably guess, was 3-0 to Awsworth, which did reflect the game perfectly.

Another great thing about Awsworth is 'Geordie John'. He is an 82 year old Gentleman who, as a qualified referee, will run the line for the lower league Awsworth team. John is amazing, and is the picture of health. He is an inspiration to all, and fitter than a lot of people. He also makes you realise that although you may wish for many things if you are healthy in your 80's, you've done good.

Radcliffe v Wolverhampton

We were away to Wolves. They play at Hednesford Stadium, which is a great little stadium, just off Cannock town centre. Have to say, we weren't at our best, we were in charge of the game for the first half hour, but after that we lost control slightly. Wolverhampton did take control again, but luckily we got a penalty and equalised. 1-1 was the final score.





Awsworth v Clifton

I ran the line for the above semi. It was a real end to end match. There was so much passion in the game, which meant that there were a few heavy tackles, but all in all the game went without a hitch. There was also a decent crowd, which gave the game good atmosphere. Although I am concentrating on the game, I do love to here the banter on the sidelines.



Nottingham Forest v Chesterfield U18

I was in the middle for 'Notts Forest under 18's'. Oh my goodness, it was end to end, but it was twice the speed of any match I've done for a while. I had intended going to the gym afterwards but went home for a well deserved soak instead. Chesterfield won 4-2, which was deserved as they had the greater possession.

I enjoy refereeing at Nottingham Forest, the facilities are great, the people are amazing, the players are hard working and friendly. I think everyone there is used to me now. The first time I went the security guard really questioned me when I said I was the Official, which was amusing, Now I just get the hiya and nod, and the team coordinator stands guard on the room that I change in, because there isn't a separate room for a female official - bless him.

Next Week - I have a really busy week next week, with lots of exciting football going on. I'll let you know how I get on??