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!!!!