Raise Your Game 2017

As all my Footballing is part-time - I have to work (Boo!!!!). Work is pretty good, but unfortunately I couldn't get any time off this week. Events in football are happening all the time, and this week was no different.

Dilemma - How to get the most out of the event without attending???

Answer - Send your Mum !!!!!

RAISE YOUR GAME

Held at Arsenal, I now have a favourite parking spot about 500 metres away. I was about 10 minutes late, and went up the escalator to the conference suites. As I got to the top I was met with a lovely hug from Troy Townsend. We had a quick chat and he then walked me through to the main conference room, where the opening address was happening. Around 400 people must have been in the room, all eagerly listening to the presenters, but excited for their upcoming 'one to one's'. I immediately saw around 5 people to do the hello nod to, and sign that I would catch up with them later.

The morning session then started;

Mentors sat at their desks, number 1 to 91. So many wonderful people from various roles within the football industry, each giving up their valuable time to help those trying to get in to the industry. Each mentor sat wondering what the day was going to bring, and how they were going to be able to assist.

Mentee's eagerly wondered around the desks with their personal folders in their hands, checking their own personal itinerary, checking the name and time of their appointment, and then locating the relevant desk number. The day is such that if there is no mentee at the desk, it becomes open game, three-second rule.

You can tell the mentee's who have been to 'Raise your Game' before. They have the whole day sewn up. They have gone through their itinerary a couple of days before, and studied the other Mentors at the event. They then scan for who's around and swoop in at desks as soon as they are vacated. It's a skill, that is so useful on the day.

There are great informative workshops held throughout the day, presented by personnel at the top of their game. The presentations are absolutely tailored to the event, and what's more, the presenters stay around afterwards to give their time to people wanting to know more.

I spoke with personnel from the Media, FA and Refereeing. Some people I had met before and others were now new contacts for Honor. I had extremely relevant conversations with all of them, and reported back to Honor - and gave her some admin to do when I got back home.

RYG as Honor has said before, is a fantastic day, and something that Troy and his team should be proud of. This could be seen by the number of Mentors at the event who have in years gone by attended RYG as a Mentee. It is actually a fantastic Alumni to be part of.

And to top ot all - It's free.

Check next year's details, and 'SAVE THE DATE!!!!

Inspirational Day

I was asked if I would help at a Muslim Community Event.

My Mum was involved with a Muslim Community event this week. The event was for Muslim Girls from 13 to 18 years old and involved a variety of activities. As part of the physical activities my Mum was asked if I would go and run a football session with them.

They did some jogging and circuit training the night before, and they were very tired, so I adjusted my session accordingly. The girls hadn't played football before, so again I needed to do some exercises that were introducing them to;

Dribbling

Passing

Shooting

We were in the Gym hall so had cones laid out and plenty of space for footballs flying everywhere!!! The girls did well, but were lacking in confidence and very slow with their movements. I got them into two teams and gave them an exercise kicking the ball to someone, then running to take that persons place. They started to chatter a bit more, and put a bit more oomph into their passing!

We finished that particular part of the session learning how to do kick-ups which definately had balls shooting off in all directions. They loved doing this, and in fact a couple of the girls really got the hang of it very quickly, which they were chuffed about.

We then went into a 10 mins each way football match.

I admit that I was slightly worried that the game wouldn't be very fast, the passing wouldn't really work and the game would be quite boring ????????

HOW WRONG COULD I BE

The minute the whistle was blown - oh my goodness, these weren't the same girls;

• The girls who were so tired at the gym the night before, were suddenly sprinting, twisting, turning non-stop
• The Girls who were so shy and retiring, were suddenly going in for the tackle, and fearless
• The quiet environment was suddenly so loud and vibrant with the girls either shouting for the ball, or shouting out instructions
• The competitiveness was incredible, without exemption
• AND - within minutes they had got the jist of shouting at the Referee!!!!!!

I had a great time, and I think that the girls did to. They were all so inspirational

And a couple of them would do well in a competitive football team

The Beautiful Game

I was going to post about something else, but given yesterday's events, I decided to write about football - the beautiful game;

I guess it was going to happen at some point, it was just when and where????

It just shows how important football is, that the terrorists decided to attack a team to gain maximum media coverage. They tried it in Paris, and have tried it again to the Borrusia Dortmund team coach.

Football is a beautiful game, and as I have said before; it has worldwide coverage, and needs no language. It provides enjoyment across the globe. Supporters may be passionate about their team and their country. But most of all they are passionate about the game. Football doesn't take kindly to someone trying to spoil the game.

Music and Sport are precious to everyone, they take a person away from the day to day, They take a person to a wonderful place, an amazing memory, friendship, teamwork and understanding.

The resilience shines through though;

• The people of Dortmund inviting Monaco supporters to stay at their houses for the night, Instead of creating terror, the town has now created new friendships, and grown the football family bond stronger #bedsforawayfans 

• The Dortmund team played tonight with strength and vigor. Competitve to the final whistle, and putting in a fine effort. They showed that football wasn't going to bow down. 

• The media coverage was of resilience rather then a damaged coach. 

We need to look after each other, and look after our game. It's everyone's responsibility to keep an eye on everything around you. If you see something suspicious then don't turn a blind eye. The world is only on loan to us, and we need to be able to pass it on to the next generation in a good state. 

Absence of the Normal, 

Presence of the Abnormal

Any doubts, report it. 

REFEREEING - SO WORTHWHILE

WHAT A BUSY OLD WEEK!!!!

As you know, I Referee for Nottingham Forest on a regular basis. Refereeing at an Acadamy is great. Everyone is learning, the Acadamy boys are learning, and they have to impress every week. As a Referee you are learning in a fast paced environment, where the matches are filmed and feedback both good and bad is given. The acadamy's are still particular, and if a Referee isn't up to scratch, they don't last very long. The Acadamies know that without good Referee's, their boys will miss out on an important part of their development.

As you promote internally within the Acadamy, you eventually get to Referee the under 18's. These footballers are briliant, they have power, skills, speed and ambition. I referee'd the under 16's two weeks ago, then last week got the call to Referee the under 18's. It was a great game. You rarely get any problems as the Lads are in such a strict environment, and are aware that if they do so'mething wrong their position in the squad is in trouble.

If you are a budding Referee I would definately recommend that you speak to your Co-ordinator to get yourself a place at your local professional clubs acadamy - Plus it's quite a buzz driving in through the Acadamy gates.

Radcliffe played away to Rotherham at the end of March. It was a great game and I loved playing more in the middle of the field. It was a really warm day, and I ran some distance over the match. The team were on a high, even to the point of us doing a fantastic car Karaoki on the way home.

Radcliffe played against Wolverhampton at the weekend. I've got to admit, it wasn't one of our better performances. The Wolverhampton home ground is an impressive stadium and it's lovely to play at such a facility, but we just didn't gell at all. Having said that we lost 2-3, but it was frustrating. My Grandad came to watch the match as well - so the critic was a very honest Mancunian one!!!!

I even managed to get a Man City Ladies European match in, at their home ground. It;s the first time that I've been inside the new
ladies stadium. It's very impressive, and right next door to the Acadamy. Must admit that the game was pretty boring, it was very set piece oriented, and needed some spark really. City women won comfortably.

Cup Match games are starting to come in. I did a semi final in the Men's Senior League, running the line to my good friend Charlie. I've known Charlie for around 8 years, In fact he bought me my flags when I first passed my Referee exam. Charlie works with my Mum, and also has his own outdoor fitness company, so he expects the best from you. Havng said that, the match went to extra time, then penalties - We  were shattered and even stopped for a sly MacDonalds on the way home (naughty)

Last night the Ref: Stories from the Weekend film aired on BT Sport. It was quite surreal. I have been interviewed on TV before, and even did the odd advert as a child but it is different when you are on the TV as a subject of the film. As only my Mum and Myself had already seen it, my Brother and Sister watched it for the first time, and friends were watching all over the place. Within minutes of the programme being on, my phone was a hot potato, with texts, facebook messages and people asking to follow my twitter / instagram etc. I really enjoyed being involved in the programme, and will hopefully be involved in others - If the programme also tells people what refereeing is about, then thats fantastic.

I love football and I love refereeing. The opportunities are amazing and the experience and learning is endless. It also keeps me busy!!!!