guncurug: November 2016

Fletcher appointed to MLS Cup 2016

22.41

CONCACAF Elite Assistant Referees Course 2016

09.23

Following last month�s Elite referee course, CONCACAF invited their Elite assistant referees to a similar event held recently in Florida. There are currently three Canadian ARs on the CONCACAF Elite List, but only one attended the course: Joe Fletcher (photo). Chantal Boudreau is presently at the FIFA U-20 Women�s World Cup in Papua New Guinea, while Philippe Briere was not available. Among the instructors was former FIFA AR Hector Vergara, the only Canadian match official selected for three World Cups (2002, 2006, 2010) and currently member of the FIFA Referees Committee.

Reflecting on the event, Fletcher said: "It was really good to see colleagues from CONCACAF. It was also great to meet some new ones, as this was the first time CONCACAF has put on an Elite AR Course with both men and women in attendance. It only makes sense, as the message is the same."

The course's busy schedule included the Change of Direction Ability Test (CODA) and the Assistant Referee Intermittent Endurance Test (ARIET) out on the field. Presentations and video tests were then held in the classroom, and officials also took part in some break-out group work. "The CODA Test is a speed test designed specifically for ARs," Fletcher added. "We go 10 meters fowards, cut, eight metres sideways, cut, eight metres sideways, cut, 10 metres forwards. Then the ARIET is a type of a beep test where we go both forwards and sideways, attempting to last as long as possible."
The workshop came towards the end of what has been a busy year for the experienced Fletcher, who has been involved in numerous competitions, both in North America and internationally. And those achievements have been added to his ever-growing list of honors, which also features involvement in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. "This year, I have had duty in the Champions League, World Cup Qualifying, MLS Regular Season, MLS Cup Play-offs and, of course, the pinnacle for the season � the Copa America Centenario. As for what's next - well, the MLS Cup Play-offs are still going, but once the last few assignments are completed, it's a bit of recovery time before getting ready for pre-season next January!" (Source: PRO)

News

New Canadian Premier League makes major hire

06.50

In a major step toward its projected 2018 debut, soccer's Canadian Premier League has hired its first official employee. And, in the Canadian footy world, he's a biggie. Paul Beirne, who was also the first employee of Toronto FC, is the project manager for the new professional league which he says will start play with "six to 10 teams across the country." Most will be there for the projected league kickoff in 2018, he says, although some might wait until 2019 to begin play. "It's totally viable (for 2018)," Beirne told The Spectator Monday morning. "I'm just helping sift through what is real and working hard to make it happen".

Beirne (photo) was TFC's vice-president of business operations from 2006 until leaving the club in 2013 to join the Ottawa Senators of the NHL as vice-president of ticketing, then to second-tier British soccer franchise Brighton as its head of commercial development. Long before finally enjoying on-field success the past couple of years, TFC had been a smash hit off the field and in business circles, and the bulk of the credit was given to Beirne and his department. "Paul is known as one of the best soccer business executives in Canada," says Scott Mitchell, CEO of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who will own a team in the new league and will play out of Tim Hortons Field. "He's a very passionate guy about the Canadian concept and the opportunities for Canadian professional soccer." Beirne reiterated what people associated with the proposed league have said since the earliest seeds were planted three or four years ago: it's about Canada and giving the upper tier of men's players a career target at home, instead of trying to hopscotch their way through the hit-and-miss process of playing pro soccer in other countries. He says that most Canadians who've been able to do that, have done it through their own initiatives. Major League Soccer, the continent's top pro league which has teams in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal, does not provide many playing opportunities for Canadians. And it is, officially, a U.S. league. "Canada has always been a big supporter of soccer," said Beirne. "And while professional leagues have come and gone in the past, they haven't failed because of fan support. The core principle of the league is developing Canadian talent at the top level. Right now we have a big pyramid of players in Canada and it doesn't have a top to it."

While TFC, the Montreal Impact and Vancouver Whitecaps are all in the MLS - a cross-border pollination sanctioned by the Canadian Soccer Association - TFC and the Whitecaps also have second teams in the United Soccer League, and FC Edmonton and Ottawa Fury are part of the North American Soccer League, with the Fury set to move over to the USL for next season. There are also other Canadian sides at lower levels of the USL. "It's a complicated structure and it is all based in the U.S.," Beirne says, "and this is not that. It's Canadian." Beirne says when it comes to potential ownership groups "there's not a lot to talk about", although the Tiger-Cats are in and have a played a significant role in getting the concept off the ground. It's expected that ownership in some other Canadian cities will have either full or partial connection to CFL teams. It's anticipated that there will be teams in Hamilton, Regina, Calgary and Winnipeg and perhaps Victoria and that the Fury and Edmonton FC will move over to the CPL as well. There has been speculation that at least one British Premier League team is interested in owning a team in the nascent Canadian league. While MLS teams have come around to expressing some interest in the CPL, one recent report out of Toronto suggested that the league would not allow those teams to field clubs in their own city, where they would not be viewed as the top team in town. Beirne would not comment on that.

The new league will have some form of quota system to ensure that Canadian players have significant opportunities, although the roster ratios and how long an implementation period will be required is not yet known. Beirne did confirm that potential CPL club owners would have to be deep-pocketed and that there would be a salary cap. "That, combined with making sure expenses are under control," Beirne said. "Sport is a funny business, you want to maintain a viable business but you also want to win. Owners need to be protected from themselves. Expenses will be controlled not just for players but for everything." The CSA will be involved in the league both structurally and financially although Beirne said, "I'm not able to talk about that right now." There will be a lot more to talk about in the next few weeks as the league moves toward a spring 2018 kickoff, but bringing Beirne on board is the most significant public indication to date that Canadian will have its own premier league within 18 months.

Source: The Record

News

CONCACAF Elite Referees Course 2016

06.35

Thirty five officials participated in the CONCACAF Elite Referee course held recently in Miami, Florida. Among the participants were Canadian referees Carol Anne Chenard and Michelle Pye, both candidates for the 2019 FIFA Women�s World Cup in France. The Elite Course provided high-level instruction to referees, with special focus being placed on the new laws of the game, ways to protect the game�s integrity, field technical modules, video tests, as well as mental and psychological preparation. For the first time, the seminar incorporated a psychology module as personality is a key factor in game and player management.

During the opening ceremony, CONCACAF officials including General Secretary Philippe Moggio, Deputy General Secretary Ted Howard and Director of Refereeing Brian Hall highlighted the potential of referees in our region and CONCACAF�s commitment to providing the tools for success. �As the excitement is building up for our upcoming major competitions, CONCACAF and its refereeing department have created this program to meticulously prepare the match officials for high-paced games on the biggest stages within the region,� said Moggio. �As representatives of CONCACAF, we are counting on our officials to ensure there is healthy competition, while maintaining the spirit of fair play.� Mexican referee Roberto Garcia recognizes the importance of these courses in order to improve his own performance on a continuous basis. �Working hard and maintaining discipline are crucial aspects to deliver key results. A referee must prepare to be competitive 365 days a year, enjoy each and every game, and give the best,� said Garcia, the center official for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup final between Uruguay and France in Turkey. �Football has grown a lot and these international competitions reflect all the work you have done.� Garcia, a referee for more than 20 years, worked at the historic Copa America Centenario USA 2016 and has been part of the officiating crews at CONCACAF Gold Cup and Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League matches. In December, he will have the opportunity to officiate at the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2016. �I�m very passionate about refereeing. In order to officiate at an elite level within CONCACAF, you need to meet several requirements, including solid physical and mental preparation. After participating in several programs provided by the Confederation, I have been able to advance in my career. Refereeing at important competitions such as the Gold Cup is a major responsibility and preparation is key to succeed on the pitch�, said Costa Rican referee Ricardo Montero. He has refereed at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015, in addition to several CONCACAF competitions, including the 2015 Gold Cup. Montero is also a referee candidate for the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018.

Source: CONCACAF