Refsworld

Mathew Cheeseman FFA AR and Referee coordinator for Football West in Perth Australia.

Mathew was very kind in taking time out to share with us an insight to his career so far.

Grab yourself a cup of tea sit back and enjoy Mathews interview

Age? 24

Home state? Western Australia

 Occupation? Referee Coordinator for Football West

 As a Referee coordinator for Perth Western Australia how do you juggle you weekend game commitments with work?.

I’ve been working at Football West since July 2006, and my role here involves the referee administration and allocations for the metropolitan area, as well running introductory level courses. I have found it challenging dealing with last minute allocation changes when I am trying to prepare for a match, but I’m used to it now.  The advantage I have with working for the state federation is that if I need time off to travel to a match or tournament, then it’s usually not a problem … providing the work still gets done of course!

 When did you start your referee career? I started refereeing just after my 16^th birthday in April 2001, so I am currently in my ninth season.

 What inspired you to take up refereeing?

Cricket was my primary passion growing up, and I played the game 12 months of the year, both indoor and outdoor. My officiating career started with indoor cricket umpiring at the age of 13 (I did my first seniors match that year as well), and due to a back injury I took up umpiring outdoor cricket at the age of 14. I actually never played football competitively (only at lunch time at school), but have always loved the game since seeing footage of Italia ’90 on the TV. The indoor centre that I umpired cricket at asked me to referee some junior soccer for them one day, and then from there the challenge was set to officiate both the indoor and outdoor varieties of both sports. Nine years later, and the other three have gone by the wayside and football refereeing has well and truly taken over.

 People who have inspired you in your career?

Growing up in Perth, I obviously had Eddie Lennie on centre stage for the early part of my career. I think most of the guys in Perth would place Eddie on their list of inspirations, but credit should also go to all the other local officials who made it to the NSL and stuck around to hand out advice, such as Angelo Nardi, Steve Muldoon & Frank Moretti.

At what stage of your career did you decide to focus on becoming a linesman?

I have been quite fortunate that each time I got myself to the next step up the ladder, I got a taste of the next level soon after. I put my hand up to officiate in the State League in my third season (2003), and after running the line in a few lower level matches I received my first State Premier League line appointment half way through that year.

That same year I also was appointed to two NSL friendlies as an assistant, so for someone who was only 18 at the time, it certainly was an experience to savour and one which I was keen on continuing.  I guess I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time in order to get a break (and hopefully some ability was involved as well!), and I’m in the position now whereby I’m refereeing in the State Premier League and running the line in the Hyundai A-League. The way I see it I’ve got the best of both worlds, and if it continues for a few more years yet, then I certainly won’t be complaining.

This is my fourth season on the A-League Assistant’s Panel, so now I guess my next challenge is to continue working hard to put my name up for a possible FIFA nomination in the future. From there, anything can happen and the chance to step up to the next level again would be turning a dream into reality.

What do you enjoy most about being in the A-league?

The chance to work with Australia’s best officials, and the camaraderie that comes with it. Being able to contribute something to the professional form of the game here in Australia is certainly something I’m proud of. Also being able to share the field with the quality of players in the league is a bit of a thrill. With more Socceroos coming back and an increase in the number of quality international players, I’ve got one of the best seats in the house. Every game is a challenge as well, and that is certainly something that I appreciate as life wasn’t meant to be boring!

 Career highlight?

I’ve been lucky to go to a number of tournaments in my short career (U14 Nationals 2002, 2003, 2004, U16 Nationals 2005, AFC U14 [Malaysia] 2006), as well as officiate in many League & Cup Finals here in W.A. (as both assistant and referee), but I guess my highlight is not so much a single game, but a culmination of events across 2006. I was attained my FFA Level 1 Accreditation and refereed my first State Premier League fixture, was appointed to the AFC Under 14 Festival of Football in Malaysia, and whilst at the World Cup as a spectator I received an email from FFA advising that I had been appointed to the A-League Assistants Panel, and made by debut not too long after.  But if I had to choose a single game, it would probably be this year where I was appointed to referee the State League Grand Final.

Tell about your style of officiating how would you describe it.

I LOVE to talk, if you haven’t noticed by my answers so far! I’m big on man-management, and if I can talk to a player to change his attitude rather than use a card, then I’ll give it a crack. If the player doesn’t respond then you have no other option, but at least make it choice they’ve made, not you.

 I’m quite approachable as well, so I don’t mind players asking me questions (as opposed to demanding), and I’ll more often than not give them an answer if the time is right. If not, I’ll happily have a chat in the bar later! I’d also consider myself a very honest referee. If I happen to make a (rare) mistake, then I’m happy to admit it.

Thankfully they don’t happen too often, but the players appreciate a referee who can admit that he’s human!  Finally, I like to throw a bit of humour in as well. With the amount of talking I do, it can’t all be serious can it? J

How do you diffuse a volatile situation that you know players are about to explode!

There are generally two schools of thought. The first is to get stuck in the middle and try and physically separate them, the other being step back and let them go and make sure you take notes and subsequent action. 

I guess the happy medium though is somewhere in the middle. I generally try and get close enough to let them know I’m keeping an eye (like the policeman in the rear-view mirror), but also treat them with respect when speaking to them. “Gentlemen, let’s just play football today” is probably a favourite of mine, as the respect can go a long way and you’re not barking at them. Then again, some players will respond to a completely different sort of language, and you need to know that as well!

If there was one thing you could change about refereeing, what would it be?

I don’t see a lot wrong with the Laws at the moment. I must say that I’m still not convinced about the “penalty-area assistants” that UEFA are trialling, and I think outside of the standard four officials the only additional tools I would consider using would be goal-line technology. But again, it needs to be 99.9% accurate before it can be implemented.

Can you tell us briefly your pre match chat to the captains/coaches when you’re in the middle?

At State League level, it’s slightly harder due to the semi-professional nature of it as compared to the A-League, but I still try and get a couple of minutes with the coaches to have a quick chat before the match. Not so much based upon the game itself, but just to break the ice in case there are any issues later. If you get to the coaches early enough and there’s something on their minds, they will certainly approach it in a different manner.  I usually speak to the captains quickly either in the tunnel or at the toss of the coin, and just ask them to help me “control the uncontrollable”. As I referee you should always expect the unexpected, but there’s only so much you can do on your own.

 What’s your pre-match routine?

For a 3pm kick off, I’d be looking to make sure I get a good night’s sleep and get up in time to have breakfast at around 10am (5 hours prior). Plenty of fluids during the day, laze around the house for a while and then arrive at the ground at least 90 minutes before kickoff.

 At the ground, I like to relax as much as possible. Whether that’s by casually talking to people from either club, other referees at the ground, or just sitting in the grandstand with a cup of tea. After a pitch inspection, head into the sheds about 50 mins prior to give myself plenty of time before a warm up.

 Pre match meal?

Generally it’s usually only breakfast, and this would be a couple of pieces of toast and maybe some cereal as well.  If I have a later game, I would probably lighten breakfast up a bit and put a pasta or sandwich/roll/focaccia somewhere in the middle of the day

 Post Match Meal?

A big bowl of pasta if I’m thinking about it, otherwise it would normally be pizza or souvlaki!

 We all have bad games, how do you deal such match in your mind?

Some say forget about it and move on, but you always need to learn from your mistakes. You can’t afford to dwell on them, but if available you’d review the DVD, or talk to colleagues who were at the match, read your inspection reports and then focus on improving for the next one. As I said earlier you need to be honest with yourself, and those who just ignore their mistakes are likely to make the same mistakes again.

 Most memorable game moment?

There are three moments that stick in my mind. Although none of them are really significant in the scheme of things, they will certainly last in the memory bank.

(1)   2/10/2004 – Queens Park v Stirling Suns (W.A. First Division) … I was standing about 10 yards away (on an angle) from a player who was about to take a shot from 40 yards. His shot was way off target and came straight towards me. With Eddie Lennie being the role model at the time, I had the whistle around a short neck lanyard and in my mouth. As the ball came towards me, I turned my head and the ball struck me on the side of the mouth, snapping the whistle in two to create jagged edges which then cut down through my lip and chin. As I was down on my haunches, my assistant referee said to the goalkeeper (who caught the deflected ball), “I think you better kick it out”!  After some medical attention, I finished the game with a few band aids on the inside of my mouth, and I never refereed with the whistle in my mouth again … with a scar to prove it!

(2)   9/6/2007 – Cockburn City v Wanneroo City (W.A. Premier League) … Again, insignificant, but something I will never forget. After conceding a fifth goal, a Wanneroo defender decided that his striker’s defensive effort in the lead up wasn’t quite good enough so he decided to strangle him and throw a punch. Easy send off? You bet ya!

(3)   6/12/2008 – Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory (A-League) … Eugene Dadi from Perth stabbed at the ball from about 8 yards out, the ball struck the crossbar, hit the ground and spun back into play. I was confident enough that the ball had wholly crossed the goal line, so I signalled to the referee and he awarded the goal. Although I was pretty certain at the time I had to have a quick glance at the replay, and after seeing that it had just crossed the whole line my confidence for the remainder of the match was sky-high.

 How often do you train?

I have organised training twice a week with the other State League & A-League officials, and try to fit in a couple of other runs in the week as well. I’m not a morning person, so getting up at 5am doesn’t really interest me (yet!). But during summer when the days are longer, I like to get on the bike after work and go for a decent ride for an hour or so. I’ve started playing indoor cricket again one night a week, so that also keeps the legs pumping and the mind ticking over. Combine all that with a lot of walking where possible, and I think I’ve got a decent balance.

 What level game do you officiate at home, if so what are the reactions of players towards you.

I have been refereeing State Premier League fixtures since 2006, and I’d like to think that I’ve developed a good rapport with a lot of the players. As mentioned earlier, I don’t really stop talking, and this extends off the field as well. At State League level, I don’t mind having a friendly chat with the players and coaches both pre and post match and I think this helps with developing a healthy working relationship. It’s always comforting when you turn up to a ground and people are happy to shake your hand and have a chat as opposed to shying away from you and muttering under their breath!

 Advice to young referees.

You only get out what you put in, and even then it’s all subject to other variables! All you can do is look after what you can control and the rest MAY take care of itself. I said to one of our referees in Perth last week, “you’ve got a lot of ahead of you, just don’t get ahead of yourself”. It’s great to have lofty goals and ambitions, and every referee dreams of being at the World Cup. But realistically there is a small chance of that happening, if you compare the total number of referees with those lucky ones who get selected.  If you don’t work hard and put in the time and effort, then the rewards may not be available. However if you show that you are committed to the cause, then the rewards are there for the taking.

 End.

 Matthew FIFA, AFC and  Australian A-League assistant is about to take off with team Breeze too the Asian Champions League Final 2009.

Matthew Cream

 Age? 34

 Home state? South Australia

Occupation? Referee Development Officer / State Referee Coach

When did you start your referee career? 1990

What inspired you to take up refereeing? Being involved in the game at the highest level.

 People who have inspired you in your career. Former NSL referee Barry Panella

At what age did you get your FIFA badge? 24 (January 2000)

At what stage of your career did you decide to focus on becoming a linesman? In 1999 I won South Australia’s Referee of the Year and was also proposed for a FIFA Assistant Referee badge as well as NSL referee, the decision wasn’t easy however I never regret it.

What do you enjoy most about being in the A-league? The opportunity to officiate in high quality matches regularly, playing a part in the biggest sport in the world.

Career highlight? 2005 & 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup 3^rd v 4^th matches

Tell us about your style of officiating how would you describe it. I think player management is an important area to focus on as well as the obvious technical abilities referees require. If you can manage the players effectively I think it goes a long way to having a successful match so I keep that in my mind when thinking of officiating style.

Upcoming AFC appointments?

7 Nov Asian Champions League Final: Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) v Pohang Steelers (Korea Republic) - Tokyo

14 Nov Asian Cup Qualifier: Vietnam v Syria - Hanoi

22 Nov Asian Cup Qualifier: China v Lebanon - Hangzhou

If there was one thing you could change about refereeing, what would it be?  Not that I expect anything can be changed regarding the perceptions of people outside of refereeing but perhaps the realization that referees are as committed as all other people involved in the game and no-one goes out there to make a mistake deliberately; player, coach, referee.

Can you tell us briefly your pre match chat to the captains/coaches when you’re in the middle?  I like to keep it brief and don’t usually go out of my way to say too much.

What’s your pre-match routine? My pre-match routine is a combination of mental preparation from the time of appointment, appropriate physical preparation, adequate hydration, balanced diet and relaxation.

Pre match meal? Pasta

Post Match Meal? Burger

We all have bad games, how do you deal such match in your mind? Be honest with yourself, understand that we are human and that we have prepared ourselves as best as possible and learn anything you can before discarding the painful reminders of it.

Most memorable game moment? 2002 FIFA World Cup Qualifier Iran v Saudi Arabia – Tehran: 120000 spectators jeering Australian referees over the 1998 World Cup qualifiers.

How often do you train? 4 times a week; post match recovery, high intensity, speed endurance and pre-match.

What level game do you officiate at home, if so what are the reactions of players towards you.? I find it difficult to officiate locally due to travel and family constraints however I have found the reactions of players towards me to be positive.

 Do they ask you questions re decisions on big games you have been on? Questions always come up regarding decisions that they may have seen.

Advice to young referees.  Never lose sight of your goals. Work hard at being both mentally and physically fit. Focus on your duties. Be alert. Ask questions. Don’t expect to go straight to the top. You have to do the hard yards first. Listen to all the advice and learn from your mistakes. Never lose sight of the ball.         

Ben Wilson FIFA, AFC and  Australian A-League assistant takes a moment for an interview with us.

Ben a Business Manager shares some great advice and photos from his amazing career so far.

Ben Wilson

Age? 34

 Home state? ACT

Occupation? Business manager

When did you start your referee career?  1990

What inspired you to take up refereeing? I was an average player so started refereeing when I was 15 to earn some extra pocket money.

 People who have inspired you in your career. Gary Power, Mark Shield, Chris Blain

At what age did you get your FIFA badge? 24

 At what stage of your career did you decide to focus on becoming a linesman?

I spent two seasons on the line in the NYL and a further season refereeing NYL at which point I decided that there were better opportunities for me as an assistant referee. I also felt that I was better suited to running lines. I was on the NSL assistant referee’s panel the following season.

 What do you enjoy most about being in the A-league?

The standard of the A-League is quite good and I enjoy it most when there is an exciting game played in front of a big, vocal crowd. It creates a great atmosphere for the players and of course the referees.

 Career highlight?

 The 2006 FIFA World Cup was a fantastic experience and the fulfilment of a long-term goal, made more memorable by the fact that I was part of an Aussie trio who had worked really closely together towards that goal for the previous 18 months.

 Tells about your style of officiating how would you describe it.

I like to think that I am a fairly easy going referee and will always try to let the game flow if the players want to play. I am also from the Gary Power school of refereeing as taught to all of the up-and-coming referees in the 90’s. I am observing with interest the current generation being exposed to and adopting his teachings.

 Upcoming AFC appointments?

I travel to Japan for the ACL Final on 7 November 2009 followed by an Asian Cup Qualifier in China on 22 November.

Most memorable game moment?

The half-spot 2006 World Cup play-off match in Trinidad & Tobago versus Bahrain. I travelled halfway around the world with three other Aussie refs for a once in a life opportunity to officiate in a match that decided the World Cup fate of two nations. The build up to the match for the entire week and the atmosphere in the ground was something I will never forget.

 How do you diffuse a volatile situation that you know players are about to explode!

I think if players are already about to explode, it is probably too late to diffuse it. Preventative refereeing is better than reacting to situations and must begin from the start of the match. I find that if you have a good feel for the game, you can feel the match temperature rising and take steps to diffuse things before it gets to that point of no return. Techniques include slowing things down by taking longer to write in the notebook or showing empathy to players who are frustrated (as long as they’re not frustrated at you!)

  If there was one thing you could change about refereeing, what would it be?

We don’t get a chance to explain our decisions so it would be good if media commentators had a better understanding of the laws of the game so that they could better educate the public about our decisions.

 Can you tell us briefly your pre match chat to the captains/coaches when you’re in the middle?

At A-League level, I leave that to the referee. Locally it’s not much more than a check of the equipment and wish them good luck.

 What’s your pre-match routine?

Most often it is a 3 hour drive to Sydney for A-League matches! This is actually quite good though because it gives me time to relax and think about the match. For matches overseas, I usually have a lunch with the referee team, an afternoon rest and then head off to the match. 

How often do you train?   Usually 4 times a week.

 What level game do you officiate at home, if so what are the reactions of players towards you.? Do they ask you questions re decisions on big games you have been on?

I referee in the ACT Premier League. The players are fine and don’t normally speak to me about decisions I’ve made on other games.

 Pre match meal?

Pasta.

 Post Match Meal?

Anything!

 We all have bad games, how do you deal such match in your mind?

I have been lucky to have been exposed to the FIFA referee’s sports psychologists at FIFA tournaments which help us deal with mistakes made during a game. The main thing is to try and take a positive learning experience from the mistake so that you deal better with similar situations in future. I find that honest self-evaluation of my performances helps me improve.

Advice to young referees.

Take the time to listen to people willing to offer you coaching and advice. Incorporate suggestions into your game but try to develop your own style.

Ben Williams  FIFA , AFC Elite and FFA (Australia) Referee took some time out for an interview with us.

Ben a Physical Education teacher in Canberra gives a wonderful insight to his career so far.

BEN WILLIAMS

Age?  32

Home state?  ACT

 Occupation? 

Teacher at Belconnen High School – Physical Education & Health, Outdoor Education and Student Wellbeing.

How do you find juggling being a teacher with your referee commitments?

This is actually quite difficult as it is like having 2 full-time occupations.  Refereeing at the highest level requires an extremely understandable employer.  The staff at BHS have been extremely supportive and I have now worked out with the ACT Dept of Education that I have been able to negotiate my time away, which is usually around 3 months in a year.  This has meant a cut in my pay, but this is the sacrifice I needed to make to ensure that I was able to accept my overseas appointments.

My faculty has been unbelievably accepting and supportive and for that I am extremely thankful.  The students enjoy following the matches that I officiate and also enjoy some of the presents that I bring back for them!

 When did you start your referee career?

I passed the course at the end of 1992 and my first full year of refereeing was in 1993.

 What inspired you to take up refereeing?

I had a couple of friends that were doing the course at school and they asked me to join them.  They never became referees, but I did and instantly loved being involved in the game as a referee.

 People who have inspired you in your career.

I gain a great deal of inspiration from my family and friends. My father was extremely lucky to have survived a massive cerebral haemorrhage in 1994 and his courage and strength to keep fighting to live, continues to be a great source of strength and inspiration for me in all that I do.

 With regard to referee coaches, there have been many who have provided me with snippets of advice, and for that I’m thankful.  Gary Power has been instrumental in my career development since I first met him on the NYL in 1994. Gary has the best refereeing brain of anyone I have met and his honesty in his coaching and his only motivation is the improvement of refereeing performance, means that I have a great deal of respect for him as a man, a mentor and a friend.

 Barry Such has also been a huge influence in my career. Both Barry and Gary read from the same page on most things and have referee improvement at the forefront of their ideals.  They challenge my thinking and also simplify things and allow me to refocus on the basic things that have got to me to where I am.

 Assistants whom you look forward to working with?

Ben Wilson and I began our careers at around the same time and we have come through the ranks in Canberra together, through the NYL, the NSL, the Hyundai A-League and now we are on the FIFA and AFC panels together, travelling the world.  Ben and I were at the 1995 Nationals together, where we met Matthew Cream.  We have shared many great milestones over the years and many matches of football.  Not to mention, these blokes are outstanding assistant referees.

I have the opportunity to travel with the other AR’s on the AFC panel regularly also.  Hakan Anaz, Jason Power, Denis Silk, Rodney Allen and I have all done many games together in AFC. I spend about 3 months of the year overseas with these 6 gentlemen and it is great to go into some big matches knowing that you have great support on the lines and that your team mates are also your good mates.

 What age did you get your FIFA badge?  27

 What do you enjoy most about being an A-league/ FIFA referee?

I enjoy the good friends that I have made along the way.  I enjoy that I have been entrusted to control high level football.  It is the best seat in the house to see some of the best football in Australia and around the world. I enjoy the physical challenge of being fit enough to get into right positions for the 90 minutes of the match.  I enjoy the mental and emotional challenge of managing 22 players through a match.  I enjoy travelling around Australia and the world and seeing great places and cultures who all share the same passion for our game. There are many great football matches with great crowds and I am thoroughly lucky to be involved in our game.

 Career highlight so far?

I have been fortunate enough to have been appointed to a few critical World Cup Qualifiers this year, so maybe the pick was I.R. Iran v Korea at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran, Iran in front of over 80,000 fans in February. At that stage, the match was 1v2 in their group (the opposite group to Australia) of World Cup qualifying, with the top 2 in each pool qualifying for the FIFA World Cup. It was an exciting and tight match that finished 1-1 with a strong performance from my team.

 Tell us about your style of officiating how would you describe it.

I like to establish a rapport with the teams wherever possible very early on.  I see this as money in the bank for later when you may need to draw upon a good relationship when the match and situations get a bit tense.  I like to get a feel for the game early and see if the teams are hoping to play football. 

That will tell me how I need be involved in the match. I am the facilitator of the match – there are some matches that need to be lead from the first whistle to the last and there are others that are happy to lead themselves, only rarely calling upon the referee to intervene.  I like to be moving into good positions and having a clear view through incidents, and talking to the players. 

There are matches when you can stop to enjoy a laugh with the players – that is valuable, being able to find a relaxed moment to share a laugh even during some of the tense matches. By setting very clear expectations of players’ behaviour early on, you also allow the player to choose their own behaviour. 

I then use my personality to get them to keep that within the boundaries of the Laws Of The Game.

 How do you diffuse a volatile situation that you know players are about to explode!

It’s important to react quickly but calmly and try to diffuse the situation as quickly as possible.  It is important to know the players personalities and how they react in these situations – whether they are calm or whether they are volatile.  That will dictate how you need to deal with them.  Going in all guns blazing when there are angry players will not actually diffuse the situation and may actually add to the tension.  Try to be calm and deal confidently and with composure.  The players will eventually settle down and then your clear head will allow you to take all of the information into consideration and decide on which sanctions (if any) need to be given.  Give the message very clearly in the spoken word and with very strong body language, then restart the match calmly and in control.

 Can you tell us briefly your pre match chat to the captains/coaches?

I prefer not to say too much to the captains or the coaches before the match.  I tend to wish them all the best for the match and then get on with things.  I think keeping things simple and having a human conversation actually improves rapport. I don’t lecture the teams or promise to focus on certain things as this can lead to problems.  Keep the conversation simple and straight to the point and then hope that they enjoy the match.

 What’s your pre-match routine?

Have a solid breakfast, pack my kit bag, have a sleep, a good carbohydrate lunch 5 hours before kick-off, maybe  a quick sleep but wake up with plenty of time to ensure I’m not feeling tired. Arrive at stadium, check pitch, play some music in the change-room to relax, get changed, have a good warm up, last minute preparations and then head into the tunnel and then on to the pitch, ready to begin the match.

 Pre match meal?

A BIG bowl of pasta, preferably spaghetti. Plenty of fluid.

 Post Match Meal?

Probably depends on how late it is after the match and what is available, but usually something small.  Sometimes even just some sandwiches.

 We all have bad games, how do you deal with such a match in your mind?

There is no such thing as a bad game.  There are some incidents that we as referees wish that we may have handled differently.  Even in a match that leaves you with a sour taste in your mouth, there are still positive things that a referee will have done.  With regard to the situations that may not have gone so well, it is important to analyse what occurred and realistically evaluate what you could have done to change the outcome of what happened.  Seek advice from those you trust and take the learning’s from the situation.  Be open to that criticism. Don’t continue to focus on the mistake/s otherwise it will affect your future performance.  Learn from it and put it in the memory bank for when another similar situation arises.

 How often do you train?

Usually 7.  I go to the gym 3 mornings each week, do a straight run on Mondays, track sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays, skill specific on Wednesdays, then a match on the weekend.

 What level game do you officiate in Canberra, what are the reactions of players towards you?

The highest level in Canberra is the ACT Premier League and I have refereed 4 or 5 matches this year – in between AFC and FIFA trips.  The players are generally very happy to see me back and extremely welcoming and supportive of my career.  Occasionally there are players or clubs that lack some discipline and don’t appreciate having a stronger referee on their matches.  However, overall I would say that the reactions of the players and clubs have been very welcoming.

 Last time you ran a line?

I can’t really remember! The last one I can remember was the 2002 NSL Grand Final in Perth.  I may have done one or 2 local lines just after that?

 You have travelled to many different countries.  What are some of the strangest experiences that you have come across?

I remembering arriving in Uzbekistan soon after Australia joined AFC in 2006.  We hadn’t done a whole heap of research about temperatures etc. We had to fly via Singapore and then Frankfurt and then finally, Tashkent.  After 40 hours, we stepped off the plane in our polo shirts into -10 degrees!

The day before the game we did the stadium inspection and after hobbling our way down the marble stairs, trying not to slip on the ice and snow on the stairs. We did that successfully and made our way down from the dressing rooms to the ground.

There we saw the pitch under about 2 feet of snow and about a dozen older 60-70 year old women sweeping the snow from the pitch with old straw brooms. Matchday saw a very small crowd who seemed to be outnumbered by the hundreds of security guards and police stationed around the ground. It was -8 at kick off and -12 at full time – very cold, even for a Canberran!  We went out for dinner and ate horse and a variety of other meats. 

There are many situations where we find ourselves in the middle of a culture shock or dealing with extreme weather conditions, either the cold such as this match or the 50 degrees we experienced in June in Jordan.  These are all amazing experiences and I am so very lucky to be able to live these experiences.

Most memorable game moment?

In the Iran v Korea match, Iran went 1-0 and the 80,000+ crowd went crazy as they were struggling to qualify for the World Cup and had just scored from a free kick at home against Korea.  The Manchester United player, Park Ji-Sung scored the equaliser for Korea late in the match.  I have never been in the middle of a match when the stadium sounded so eerily quiet.  You quickly realise how much football means to the people in these other countries.

 Upcoming FIFA appointments?

I fly out on August 1 for a seminar in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a week for the referees who will officiate in the final matches of the Asian Champions League and the Asian Cup Qualifiers for the rest of the year.  No news on which appointments I have as yet, but will simply await the next email or phone call.

 If there was one thing you could change about refereeing, what would it be?

I wouldn’t mind making Australian refereeing full-time professional. This would be a great career path for young referees and would keep the elite referees focused on the elite competition in Australia (Hyundai A League) and the other international competitions.  This would bring us into line with Japan and Korea in Asia and also other nations such as Italy and England etc.

  Advice to young referees.

There is no substitute for hard work.  No one else will do the hard work for you.  Always be prepared to learn.  Try a suggestion 3 times and if it doesn’t work for you and your personality, leave it be and try something else. Don’t try to be someone else, but try to introduce new strategies through your own personality. Above all, you need to enjoy the game. After all, that’s why we’re in it.

 End.

Alexander Glasgow from NSW answeres some of our Questions.

We thank Alex for his time sharing his career so far with us

Click here to read the Interview.

Matthew Breeze.

Age? 36

Home State? NSW

Occupation? Police Prosecutor and Solicitor

What age did you start your refereeing career?  13 in the St George District in NSW

What interested you to take up refereeing? My younger brother didn’t have a ref for a match, and my Dad suggested I do it. I totally enjoyed it and I was hooked from that moment.

 People who have inspired you in your career. Many people. But I would have to say Gary Power is the most influential. It is great that Gary is coming back as he a fine coach, instructor and motivator of referee’s. His ability to analyze absolutely every part of a referee’s performance is without peer.

Pre match meal?

Prefer pasta, but not totally fussy.

Post match Meal?

Pizza and beer. Fussy about that!!!

Any superstitions/routines you must adhere to match day.

I always have an afternoon kip on match days. This keeps me fresh for the evening as nearly all matches night kick offs.

How would you describe your style of refereeing?

I try and get an early feel for the game and adapt accordingly. Some matches need hardly any intervention from the referee, and the game can flow and you can be liberal in your interpretation of fouls and misconduct. But some matches require strict control for 90 minutes and need to be officiated in that manner. I like to be flexible and try and feel or “smell” the atmosphere of the match. I try to be personable with the players, whilst always maintaining a professional distance.

But most of all, I like to be calm in pressure situations. A cool head from the referee is vital to defusing flashpoints in any match.

You seem to be having a good time on the pitch e.g. smiling, light conversations with players, have you always adopted this style? Not really. When I first started in the NSL in 1995, I think I was a little too focused on being technically correct. I thought using “personality” meant failing to apply the sanctions appropriately so a match didn’t have 7 yellow cards. But as I developed as a person, and built confidence in my ability, I definitely learnt to relax more and react to my feeling for the match. I really enjoy contributing to a good game of football, and I like to express my enjoyment.

At what age did you get your FIFA badge?

29.

What emotions were running through you the first time you walked onto the pitch as FIFA appointed referee?

A great sense of achievement. From the moment that I learnt there was such a thing as a FIFA badge; it was my goal to make the FIFA list. It may only be a piece of cloth, but it means so much to be on the list each year.

Career highlight so far. There have been a few. The 3 v 4 playoff at the World Youth Championship in the UAE in 2003 was a real highlight because it was my first FIFA tournament. The 3 v 4 match at the 2005 Confederations Cup between Germany and Mexico (pictured below) was a fantastic game. 60,000, a 7 goal thriller and some real tension during the match made it a memorable game. Asian Cup 2007 Semi-Final was also a great game.

How do you diffuse a volatile player that has become very animated? The key is trying to work out their personalities very quickly, and relying upon experience, using different methods to diffuse the situation. For example, some players need to hear a calm, reasoned tone. Other players don’t respond to that and need to be spoken to very strongly, with strong body language. But generally speaking, the message needs to be short, clear and delivered with very strong eye contact.

Do you use a variety of techniques to settle players down? Absolutely. For example, yelling and playing the mean tough guy only incites certain people. Conversely, a soft reasoned approach does not work with other players. Refereeing at international levels also requires a real understanding of different cultures and they way they react differently to authority figures.

Can you tell us briefly about your pre match chat to the captains/teams? I have a strict rule of not having a pre-match chat. It really is a no-win situation. If you follow through on what you said you were going to do, you don’t earn anything extra because the players will say “well that’s expected”. But if you aren’t consistent with your pre-match instructions, players will rightly form the belief that you are not a man of your word and that you are inconsistent and cannot be trusted. I say “good luck and enjoy the match”.

When watching a game do you generally watch the referee or the match? A bit of both. I guess I can’t help watching the referee to some degree. But I also watch a lot of match officials in other sports to see if there is anything in the way they conduct themselves which I can use.

Most memorable game moment? Probably standing beside Michael Ballack as he curled in a cracking free kick past the Mexican wall to win the 3rd v 4th playoff at the 2005 Confederation Cup. The noise was deafening and it really was great moment.See below

How often do you train? 2-3 times a week. It might not sound a lot, but I am a huge believer that a referee must know his body and what training works for him. I have never suffered an injury that has kept me out of a single match. I think that fact is due to me not overtraining and having a very good all round base fitness level.

Advice to young referees just starting out? Have a tough skin and try and enjoy all facets of being a referee. It can be very difficult, but extremely rewarding. It is also vitally important to have a good life balance. Don’t let refereeing be the only focus you have in life because you need other interests to get your mind away from football.

.

Those who have had the pleasure to meet him know that he is a fantastic ambassador to our game.

 He has a welcoming nature, when he meets new referees; Matt has no hesitation in answering the countless questions from his colleagues.

Best of luck for the up coming A League finals for 2009 , we’re sure all of the Australian Refereeing community is looking towards your worthy inclusion to the 2010 FIFA World Cup list.

We want to thank Matthew for his time a gentleman at the very least.

Copyright Refsworld 2009

  The Anaz family,  migrated to Melbourne from Izmit Turkey in 1968, they had a son in 1969 named Hakan.  Anaz is married and a father of two.  His career as a referee started in 1994 as a category A referee, when he blew the whistle on a green field for the first time in Victoria, Australia.

  When he earned enough club and assessors' marks he was refereed his First League of Victoria matches. He was promoted to the Australian National League in 1997 and officiated the match between Australia and Chile in 2004. He was registered by FIFA in January 2005 and placed on the Australian FIFA list by the Oceania Football Federation.

What inspired you to take up refereeing. I wanted to keep fit, and thought refereeing was a good way to keep involved in the sport I had been playing since I was seven.

 People who have inspired you in your career. There are so many, but without the support from my family, I definitely would not be where I am at the moment.

Referees whom you look forward to assisting. As I have been o/s many times this year with Mark Shield, to be on his refereeing team is an honour and a privilege, which I appreciate.

To top that all off, he is a fantastic guy off the park which makes refereeing with him really enjoyable.

 How often do you train? I train two times at formal training sessions, and train two times at my home gym, plus a game every week.

Your pre game warm ups are legendary amongst assistants, your comments. I like to do a thorough warm up, as I believe it is important to be switched on for the game both physically and mentally prior to the game.

If you have the chance to work with other FIFA referees o/s,

 I can tell you their warms ups are just as hard. The way I see it, if you can’t warm up for 15 minutes prior to the game, how can you be expected to referee a 90-minute game.

Career highlights. Last trip was a highlight in more than one way. Saudi Arabia vs Iran with 60,000 mad Saudi’s screaming right around you. Also, the Kirin Cup Japan vs Peru with 65,000 Japanese supporters at the Yokohama stadium. Domestically, it would have to be the A-League preliminary final last year.

Most memorable game moment. Peace Cup when legendary English footballer Gary Speed came up to me and said how good Aussie refs were. I took it as a compliment.

Advice to young referees. Set your goals at work damn hard to achieve them. Be prepared to for the ups and downs, but most of all when you get your chance, take it with both hands and never let it go.

After Seven heavy days of officiating, Greg Gontshcarow was appointed to referee the under 15 Grand Final (NSW Metro v South Australia) at the Nationals.

We managed to catch up with Greg to congratulate him and ask him some Questions.

George completed the course in 2002 and went on to referee his first game in 2003.

George told Refsworld that his highlights thus far include the following.

Selection for the National Youth Championships in Coffs Harbour in 2006, being promoted to the premier league as an assistant referee.

Being on the Premier league panel has had him subsequently working with the likes of Perry, Senko, Lewis and Kevin and obviously winning the Referee Development Award for 2008.

When asked of whom have inspired him George lists the following people.

“My Inspirations include my parents, experienced referees that have made it to the very top such as Perry Mur, Jim Ouliaris, Hakan Anaz, Kevin Docherty and Luke Brennan .

Also the younger guys who push me to be better and better in Shaun Evans, Alex Lord, Alejandro Azcurra, Lucien Laverdure and Kris Flynn.”

George has some advice for the younger referees.

Be the best YOU can be. Work on your deficiencies and control things that are in your own hands. Always aim for the top, and if something doesn’t go your way keep your head up and don’t get down on yourself.

Always stay positive and stick to your goals.

And most importantly ALWAYS listen to those that are willing to help you.

 Congratulations George on winning the 2008 Referee Development Award, those who have had the pleasure to meet you will agree that he is a fine young gentleman.