Woden Valley Redbacks Under 14 Girls Win the Dana Cup in Denmark!

Sourced from the WVSC website
A truly astonishing effort by these girls. Wonderful! More to follow on the NPL when they return. Woden Valley SC has campaigned at the Dana Cup on several occassions over the years and gained a Second and Third place. Now they have won it.





Woden Valley SC reports:

After 2 years of fund-raising the team headed to Europe two weeks ago.
Last week at the Gothia Cup in Sweden (the biggest youth tournament in the world – 80 teams in U14 Girls competition!), where they experienced the thrill of Opening Ceremony walking into a stadium with 50,000 in the crowd, the girls came 3rd in their group and then progressed through the B play offs only to lose narrowly in the final.



This week, they have clicked into gear big time and have gone through to the final of the Dana Cup in Denmark and won!

 Even though Qviding was awarded a penalty five minutes before the end of normal time and an Australian defender was red carded, Qviding from Sweden was unable to equalise against Woden Valley Redbacks.

The Swedish player shot the ball over the crossbar and then the score remained which the Australians had gotten two minutes into the second half.

Some Timely Advice On The Laws of the Game - From the State Coach For Referees

This program is broadcast on 2xxfm (98.3mhz), across the Australian Community Radio Network on Tuesday, 26 July 2011 at 7:00PM.



The season is drawing to a close, we are getting closer to the finals and some games are getting pretty desperate. A few Clubs have already secured their spot in the finals, but quite a few are still in the running and dependant now on winning their matches, whilst hoping others loose and give them a comparative points advantage. When it gets to the latter position, you are no longer in control of your destiny. Winning becomes very important! Players and supporters become a bit unreasonable.

That brings us to Referees!



We speak to the Referees' State Coach - Clive Mackillop. The NPL has spoken to Clive on several occasions and its always been interesting and informative. This time around, Clive speaks to several issues around the Laws of the Game, which seem to be at the heart of commentary from the sidelines. We also cover a couple of issues that can happen from time to time in the games where the "silverware" seems at risk.



Clive speaks clearly on these matters:

  • Serious Foul Play and Violent Conduct
  • Tackling (careless, reckless and excessive force)
  • Offside
  • Setting Up a Wall - and delaying the restart of play
  • Incidents off the field that players leave the field to become involved in
  • Incidents on the field that players (on the bench) enter the field of play to become involved in
  • Respect for referees - respect by all involved
  • Talking to Referees by players during the game - does the team Captian have a formal role?


The last rounds of the competition are to hand and the finals not far away. Helps to know a little bit about the laws of the game and in particular the ones listed above. Keep your cool and respect the Referees.

Download Podcast here:

Historian Celebrates 250 Years of the Veterinary Profession During the Annual AVMA Meeting.

Posted July 24, 2011
Donald F. Smith, Cornell University

Dr. Fred Born is a Wisconsin veterinarian who is on a mission to research and record some of the important historical records of veterinary medicine. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Fred is a 1962 graduate of Michigan State University who established and was the senior partner in a six-veterinarian mixed animal practice in Fond du Lac (WI), where he concentrated on small animal medicine and surgery. An author of three veterinary textbooks, Fred has received numerous awards including being named the Veterinarian of the Year in 1971 by his state colleagues.


Dr. Fred Born with the display he prepared for the 2011 AVMA meeting.
Photo by the author.

An avid historian, Dr. Born feels that “understanding what has happened in the past gives us an important insight into historical challenges and opportunities as we prepare for the future”. To that end, he developed an exhibit to celebrate this year as the 250th anniversary of the veterinary profession. The display was presented at the recent AVMA meeting in St. Louis, Missouri and attracted an enthusiastic gathering of veterinarians interested in the history of the profession. A special feature was an extensive collection of late 18th and 19th century veterinary instruments, many of which are in mint condition

His tribute to the world’s first veterinary college in Lyon, France which was established in 1761 included a series of collectable post cards as well a life-sized image of the college’s founder, Claude Bourgelet.  The focus on the European legacy delighted the French delegation led by Prof Jean-François Chary.

Dr. Born (right) with Prof. Jean-Francois Chary (center), leader of the French
delegation at the AVMA meeting. Left is Prof. Dr. Stephane Martinot,
Dean Veterinary School Lyon, France.
Photo by the author.
About 10 years ago, Dr. Born and colleagues interviewed past presidents of the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association, including several who had graduated during the Depression. He has concluded that the generation of veterinarians who graduated during the 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s has seen unprecedented changes in the profession as well as in societal expectations and life styles.

Under Dr. Born's leadership, members of the American Veterinary Medical History Society are encouraging state associations to promote the collection of interviews with veterinarians who are now in their 80s and 90s, “to record this priceless history for the benefit of the profession and as a legacy of future generations of veterinarians”.

Dr. Fred Born's exhibit to honor the 250th anniversary of the veterinary medical profession.
AVMA meeting, St. Louis, Missouri. Photo courtesy Dr. Born.
Dr. Smith welcomes comments at dfs6@cornell.edu.

Urban Blend Coffee Shoppe

In my daily interactions with people here, if the subject of my blog comes up, a PE resident will inevitably suggest a coffee shop that I may not have visited yet.  Locals are always a great resource.  Michelle, a trainer at the gym, not only recommended a few coffee shops, but she also introduced me to her friend, Shaun Aupiais, a barista trainer and distributer of Sumatran Brand coffees here in PE.  After a few phone conversations, in which we "talked coffee," Shaun agreed to attend The Crawl as a resident coffee expert.  He chose Urban Blend Coffee Shoppe on the corner of 3rd Avenue and Hurd St. in Newton Park as the venue for an info session and coffee tasting for this week's crawlers. 

















Fifteen of us, Fr. Dominic Griego, June Nash, Gail Taverner, Les Baldwin, Nomusa Nkomo, Gail Darne, Stella and Beryl Dawson, Beth Vieira, Fran and Keith de Beer, Leanne Waller, my husband, Lou, and my daughter, Liz, met at Urban Blend on Tuesday morning instead of our usual Thursday to accomodate Shaun's schedule. Initially, it appeared that parking would be an issue, but available spaces across the street and more in the back of the shop provided plenty of room for all of us along with numerous other patrons.  Shaun welcomed us all, led us to a reserved table, introduced himself, and took orders for our first round, which featured a "Single Origin Ethiopian" coffee.  Excellent choice, Shaun!  Everyone loved this round (even Nomusa, a loyal tea drinker) and I think, rather I'm sure, you just got yourself some new customers. 

Before round two, Shaun fielded coffee questions from the group.  He gave a brief explanation of different espresso beverages and brought a machiata for me to try.  Well, I've never had a machiata before, and now I'm sold...my new favorite (non-alcoholic) drink of all time...a machiata made with Single Origin Ethiopian Sodomo coffee!  So, for round two, about half the crawlers changed their original order to a machiata.  For this round, Shaun used Caffe Molinari brand and offered the crawlers the Urban Blend coffee/cake special, which a few of us couldn't resist,  Yes, I'm guilty of breaking my own No-Food-On-The-Crawl rule.  But the muffin was awesome with my Americano.  Shaun and Urban Blend's barista, Luthando, prepared both rounds of lattes, cappuccinos, machiatas, and Americanos for the group and served them in heated cups so as not to lose the 15 to 20 degree C that is lost when using cold cups. 

As round three was served by our waitress, Pinki, I had an opportunity to talk to Urban Blend's owner, Lisa Herman.  Lisa and her husband renovated a house and turned half of it into the Urban Blend Coffee Shoppe about a year ago.  They are looking to expand into the other half of the house soon.  I am a real fan of the subtle African decor of the shop with bold but tasteful colors on the walls.  There are tables and comfortable lounge areas on two levels of the shop and seating outside as well.  I love the laid back atmosphere and am sure to visit the shop again for a traditional breakfast or a gourmet sandwich for lunch.  Lisa told me that she had never been in the industry prior to opening the shop...you certainly had me fooled, Lisa...you're a natural! 

The PE Coffee Crawl is about coffee and conversation.  Well, this week, coffee was the conversation...at least for a good portion of our visit.  With my daughter, Liz, being a barista at a Starbucks in Washington, D.C., she and Shaun had much to discuss and share with the group.  At Nomusa's end of the table, a tea versus coffee debate ensued.  I was speaking to Lisa when the debate finally ended, but I'm guessing the coffee-lovers won, hands down...sorry, Nomusa.  Once the hot beverage topic was exhausted, the table talk turned to speeding fines with Lou and Liz vying for top honors.  Liz, I think your dad has you beat, but only because he is so much older.  At some point, discussion at the table split, with one end regaling the wonders of the Serengeti while the other end talked soap opera trash.  I won't tell which end I was on! 

Overall, this coffee crawl with Shaun, our special guest/barista/coffee connoisseur, was a hit with all present.  I'll be sure to keep on the lookout for more interesting "coffee people" in PE to introduce on the blog. 

A note on my son Jeff's comment on Cafe Ro-Ann: Jeff says Liz may be the favorite child since Lou came to two crawls (and counting) with her and zero with him.  He wants a vote on who is the coffee crawlers' favorite.  I think they'll all claim the Fifth, Jeff!  (For my non-American readers, the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution gives you the right to keep your mouth shut so as not to incriminate yourself).  Jeff, I'll see what I can do...I hear Keith takes bribes. 

Thank yous to:
~ Shaun, for the samples and for organizing this special crawl for us
~ Lisa and staff, keep up the awesome work!
~ This week's crawlers, who came out fot this special Tuesday crawl
~ My readers, for being patient with my late postings...I would have posted Saturday but the Surf was up at J-Bay for the Billabong competition.  Lou, Liz and I couldn't miss out on the sick barrels.  Congrats to South African surfer, Jordy Smith, who took the top prize.

One last note:  This week's coffee tasting reminded Liz of her barista colleagues working hard at the Van Ness Starbucks in Washington, D.C., while she vacations here in South Africa.  Liz sends a big HELLO! to Jack, Sam, and Stevi. 

Until next week (or whenever I get to it),

Ellen

Meet the Owner
Lisa Herman





This Week's Crawlers
Lou, Leanne, Keith, Beth, Stella, Beryl, Gail D., Nomusa, Les, Gail T., June, Liz, Fr. Dominic
 
Meet the Baristas
Luthando and Shaun

A Veterinary Student's Externship at Johns Hopkins Hospital

Guest Blog by Jennifer Morrissey, Cornell Class of 2013
Posted July 23, 2011
Ms. Morrissey scheduled her observing externship at Johns Hopkins Hospital during the summer between her second and third year veterinary college. She has a career interest in anesthesiology.
As I walked into Johns Hopkins Hospital on my first day of a two and a half week externship in anesthesia, to say I was worried is an understatement. Was externing at a human hospital a big mistake? Was I going to learn anything that would be valid in my own veterinary career? But when I reached the office of Andrea Collins, my coordinator for the externship, I was immediately relieved—her office was in the Blalock building.
Alfred Blalock was a surgeon at Johns Hopkins in the 1940s. He and his assistant, Vivien Thomas, perfected a technique colloquially called the blue baby procedure, in which the heart vessels in the affected infants were rerouted to assist oxygenation of the blood in the lungs.
Why was this story so comforting to me? Because the surgery was developed using hundreds of dogs, and finally perfected in a dog named Anna who became so famous that her portrait hands at Johns Hopkins University. A technique similar to the one developed for Anna is still used in veterinary patients today. It is also a procedure that we study in our first-year curriculum at Cornell. The simple name of the building (Blalock) reminded me that, at the end of the day, human and veterinary medicine are one medicine.
I had the pleasure of spending the next two weeks observing and learning from some of the most diligent and instructive residents I could have imagined. Every day was a learning experience with lessons ranging from how to conduct yourself in the O.R., to airway management and, my favorite subjects as an anesthesiology geek, pharmacology and physiology. The principles were all the same. Don’t touch sterile drapes! Know how to make sure your endotracheal tube is, indeed, in the trachea. Which drugs are best for sedating a patient? Beware polarizing blockers in a patient with kidney disease. Maintain fluid volume. When should we use colloids instead of crystalloids?

Veterinary student Jennifer Morrissey recently completed
an externship at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.
Photo courtest of Ms. Morrissey.

As I rotated among a half dozen residents, I was reminded that medicine (whether human or veterinary) medicine is not just a science, it is an art. Some rules, of course, are written in stone. But I had the opportunity to discuss differing opinions among the residents. Should I start a blood transfusion now, or wait to check the hemoglobin level? Which opiate should I administer to this patient? And there were no wrong answers; it was just a difference among artists. 
It was in these artistic details that I came to grasp some of the important differences between human and veterinary medicine. The most striking difference presented itself on the second day of the externship. While chatting with a man to ease his worry over getting an epidural block, he grabbed my hand, looked me in the eye and said, “I’m not going to wake up from this, am I?”
It may seem obvious, but it is truly striking to realize that human medicine patients can talk. I was completely unprepared for this scenario! Cornell has, of course, educated me on how to talk to animal owners and trainers, and how to project serenity while working around patients. The fact that veterinary patients cannot talk is often taken as a challenge for diagnosticians. It also makes the projection of empathy a more physical practice - a petting hand, a soothing tone.
As this man looked at me, I became fully aware of how different it must be to care for other people. How do you soothe without lying? How do you emotionally separate from someone who is so much like yourself, who can understand your words? Over the weeks, I witnessed many more humbling experiences and watched as the residents dealt with each one with grace and kindness. 
I observed many other differences while at Hopkins. The precautions and monitoring of patients is taken to a whole different level in human medicine. There are also certain drug differences that exist between the two fields, ketamine being a major example. Unlike veterinarians, physicians also have to deal with the nasty 90 degree angle of the human trachea when placing an endotracheal tube―in supine position no less! 
But at the end of the day, the warm welcome and tutoring from the residents and attending anesthesiologists made me feel like I was among colleagues. I was extremely disappointed when my externship drew to a close, but I left feeling better prepared for both the art and science of one medicine.

Vickers' New Book on Renewal

My friend and colleague at United Jason Vickers has just come out with a new book, Minding the Good Ground: A Theology for Church Renewal, published by Baylor University Press. It's short, sweet, and to the point.  It comes out of five years of teaching our introductory level course, "Foundations for Church Renewal," as well as numerous conversations with many different people who care deeply about the life of the church. The ideas are Vickers', but they have been sharpened by dialogue with pastors, judicatory leaders, laypeople, and other academics.

Since we started talking about church renewal at United about five years ago , we have always said that we don't have a canned answer that we're selling. Rather, our goal has been to open up a vital conversation about church renewal among all who have an interest in this topic. This book will lead to helpful conversations that, we pray, will bear fruit within the church. If you have an interest in church renewal, I'd strongly suggest checking this one out.

Will Capital Football Run A Men's Summer 20s in 2011?


As we are aware, our Mens Premier League Football season in the ACT is too short.

The season is too short to sustain the development of younger players, or enable teams to develop and improve their position over a competition that holds a small number of teams and schedules them to play each other only twice in a season (Fed Cup and pre season do not count).

Not every Mens PL Clubs is enthused by the prospect of a longer regular season, but the majority seem to be in favour. The argument put by CF is that the Fed Cup covers the gap. That's misleading - the Fed Cup is seen as a pre-season playing opportunity and importantly, does not count toward the Premiership.

The Womens PL competition has fewer teams but does schedule teams to play each other three times in their regular season. It works.

Our regular season is now drawing to a close. The time goes quickly.

Football, like so many other big participation sports (and Football is the biggest) demand more of players across a longer section of the calender year. This is particularly the case, if we are to talk in terms of the development of young talented players. No more so than the Under 17 to Under 20 age group.

If you follow the NPL interviews with Ron Smith,  Alfred Galustian, Jan Versliejen  to name just three the NPL has interviewed on talented player development in the last three years; one point is made by them all - the Australian regular football season is too short to provide the sort of sustained competitive development opportunities that enable young players to be as good as they can be. We marvel at the technical proficiency of the visiting Asian teams youth teams and gasp at the amount of training and games they play. The get there by addressing the game in what amounts to a whole of year basis. Ron Smith in his report to the CF Board on high performance / development of young players, made teh requirement for off season activity plain enough. So why are we faultering?

Simple first remedy for us here in the ACT - lengthen the domestic premiership competition and then provide an additional playing opportunity for Clubs to develop their emerging players in the off season

In 2009 Capital Football did something fantastic - it started the Mens Summer 20s! It was an outstanding first effort. Clearly some one had done thinking and got it right. WHy did we go backwards after sucj a good beginning? Far too many questions!

In 2010, Capital Football forgot about the Summer 20s, left the planning and consultation too late to be effective across all the PL CLubs and as a result only three PL Clubs participated (one of whom provided two teams). It was a useful experience but a shadow of the previous year.  It was damn shame and a good initiative was killed off before it took hold. Some PL CLubs had issues with CF over the Summer 20s, but that's another story and there has been plenty of time since to get them straightended out. Has anyone at CF bothered to enquire? Thos damn questions again!

At the time of writing, the PL CLubs are yet to receive any news of a Summer 20's competition for men in 2011. To this point there has been no consultation or communication with the PL Clubs. What are the Regional Reps and Mens Standing Committee doing about this issue? is this something the CF Board could get interested in? It should be, because it is a strategic planning issue, not a simple operational matter. Do the responsible Capital Football staff have sufficient instructions to engage with the PL Clubs on this matter? Will Mens Football for our best Under 17 to 20 players stop in the ACT at the end of this regular season? Looks like it at the moment. Too many questions where there should mostly be answers already in place.

Perhaps Capital Football have something else planned - but if they do, the PL Clubs have not heard about it yet and the time to have been discussing it in a steady, contemplative fashion is now behind us - Summer 20s or no Summer 20s or anything else for that matter.

This can be fixed, but we need some careful consultation with the PL Clubs. No PL Clubs should pass up an opportunity to play in the Summer 20s - if its good enough for CFC, the most successful Club in the last ten years and best current roster in the ACT, to have supported this concept from the outset, why would other PL hesitate? Perhaps they need some assistance, I don't kow for sure. So get them together and talk - Now!

Perhaps this could be seen as a development opportunity for the CF Technical Director to charge of going forward. That would make sense.

But if its off, its off, and if we can't do it well, don't try and say so now.

If CF has an alternate proposal then put it to the Clubs now and not later and in time to deal with it and participate. Some Clubs are already thinking of solving this off season matter and not relying on CF. Not sure that's a good position for CF.

Capital Football made an excellent start in 2009 - let's hope we can improve on that for 2011!

With that in mind, the NPL has sent the following questions to Capital Football. Let you know when we get a answer:

What plans are afoot for the Summer 20s in 2011:



- Who in Capital Football operational staff responsibility for a Summer 20’s competition in 2011?


- Has a 2011 Summer 20s competition been discussed at the CF Board level and if so what was the outcome?


- Has planning begun at CF (if so when?)


- Has a decision been made on the conduct of a Summer 20s competition in 2011?


- What is the current CF planning timeline from whenever planning started (or will start) to advice to Clubs (advice it will not happen or advice of the draw and supporting details)?


- What is the minimum number of teams required to conduct the Summer 20s?


- What is the proposed format (aims and objectives of a Summer 20s etc)?


- Competition rules (where different from mens PL currently in use)?

- Have the PL clubs been formally contacted about entering a team?


- Playing location / time?


- Canteen responsibilities?


- Player registration costs and basis of calculation of these costs to Clubs?


- Is the Mens Standing Committee involved in the planning of this competition and if so what is their role and who is involved?


- When will Capital Football advise Club of the Summer 20s (go ahead or no competition) and how will the Clubs be advised?


- Will Capital Football hold a meeting of interested Clubs to discuss the Summer 20s competition in 2011?


- What financial assistance will CF give to Clubs to participate in the Summer 20s.

The Pathway For Talented Junior and Youth Players in the ACT Gets A Bit Harder

Sourced from http://www.ccmariners.com.au/


My colleague at the Nearpost National (Eamonn Flanagan) pointed out a breaking "player development" story in Football at the Station this evening. You can read all about it on the Nearpost Blog. Its a sensational Football story for all junior and youth players on the Central Coast of NSW. It has significant strategic implications for talented ACT junior and youth players.

The Central Coast Mariners FC have established a Football Academy.

This is noteworthy because the Mariners have made a few trips to the ACT as part of their pre-season and there has been  some hope that this connection might mean more than a few exhibition matches and visits to the nation's capitol. The Mariners Academy solution makes good sense, is a decision that works for Football among their constituency and is not unlike the Academies established by the big EPL Clubs and other big Clubs in other Premier Leagues around the world.

The important detail to note for us in the ACT is that this is a joint venture between the Central Coast Mariners and Central Coast Football. It does not include the Capital Football! That's no criticism of the Mariners - what they have done makes good A League business sense. But what a shame for the ACT.

Question - Have we missed another opportunity?

Here are some details (taken form the CCM press release) you will find very informative and leaves you in no doubt as to which Football constituency is being "developed" and "serviced" by this Academy:
  
"Central Coast Mariners together with Central Coast Football (CCF) have today penned an historic agreement that will help bolster the Yellow and Navy’s Hyundai A-League playing stocks for generations to come.
In an Australian football first, the Heads of Agreement signed this morning ensure that from October 1 this year, CCF’s representative Youth League programs will be integrated into and form a key component of the Mariners ambitious Academy initiatives.
Under the Central Coast Mariners brand the program will be the sole elite football Academy in the region, providing high-level training and playing opportunities to both male and female footballers.
Indeed, in its initial stages the Academy will consist of U-11 to U-18 male teams, and U-12 to senior female sides competing at the highest level permitted by Football New South Wales...."

"...Under the terms of the agreement, CCF will provide the budding Mariners with access to Pluim Park, Lisarow for all representative games. Additionally, access to Jubilee Oval, Long Jetty and Leagues Club Park, Gosford for all of the Academy’s training and playing requirements will be supplied.
In return, the agreement is underpinned by the Mariners guarantee that 80 per cent of all players in the representative programs will be Central Coast residents, ensuring that a transparent development pathway from the junior to the elite level of football in the region is created...."

There is no A League franchise in prospect for the ACT. That's been known for quite a while.

The next best and perhaps most achievable option is an A League Youth League team based in the ACT. But there seems to be little movement on the youth league front. As many observe, that leaves the Under 17 to Under 20 age groups without a viable and coherent Football development pathway. In these circumstances, entry to an A League Youth team, any A league Youth team, is more remote both by distance and opportunity that is was yesterday.

The announcement of the establishment of the Mariners Academy, with the collaboration / participation of the Central Coast Football (CCF), which guarantee's "..that 80 per cent of all players in the representative programs will be Central Coast residents..", makes it so much harder for talented young players from the ACT region. There is no mention of any percentage reserved for ACT players, but perhaps someone can work on that possibility.

The game is moving on and the further it gets along the development road, the more likely we seem to be a risk of being left stranded on this matter - options close.

The President of Capital Football made it very clear in her interview with the NPL, that the development issues for the talented Mens U17 to U20 development opportunities, is a top priority. I have no reason to doubt it. This is not a simple CF operational issue. It will require the consideration and creative thinking of the Capital Football Board. We cannot spend much more time admiring the problem. The game is moving on.

Here is the the Central Coast Mariners FC Academy Vision:

"The primary aim of the Central Coast Mariners FC Academy is to provide a clear and structured pathway towards our National Youth League and Westfield Women’s League programs. Whether or not the ‘dream’ is fulfilled, every player needs to look back fondly on life at the Academy, and feel that the experience was a positive one."


The Mariners are recruiting Coaching staff. The specifications for the positions make interesting reading


Central Coast Mariners FC Academy


Coach Position Description

Boys Positions: 11 – 12 – 13 – 14 – 15 – 16 – 18

Girls Positions: 12 – 14 – 16 – Senior Reserves – Senior Women

Applications will close on Tuesday 2nd August with interviews to be conducted thereafter.

Qualifications

• Minimum FFA Youth Licence required - AFC C-Licence or FFA Senior Licence preferred

Key Duties

• Conduct the program in line with the FFA National Curriculum and CCM development objectives

• Attend selection trials and liaise with the CCMFCA Management regarding selection policy and preparation

• Prepare and implement high performance training programs for all players in the team.

• Liaise with individual squad members relating to their performance in:

  • Training
  • Competition
  • Conduct

• Prepare player profiles and provide individual player feedback as required



Issues and Challenges
• Ensure a direction and focus on the development of players above competition results

• Maintain effective communications, both within the sport and outside of the sport

• Understand and respond to the differing needs of the players and Academy staff

• Contribute to the planning and evaluation of the Academy

 

Criteria for Position
• Demonstrated coaching experience with understanding of the FFA National Curriculum

• Demonstrated high level interpersonal skills

• Demonstrated ability to work individually and as part of a team

• Fit and capable of high level demonstration

• Well presented with capacity to display professional conduct at all times

 

Terms and Conditions
• All coaching positions are for 12 months

• All coaches must commit to 3 training sessions per week, in season plus games

• All coaches must commit to providing written reports on all players

• Expenses package will be discussed with successful applicants

Some Junior / Youth Development Issues

This program is broadcast on 2xxfm (98.3mhz) across the Australian Cummunity Radio Network, on Tuesday 19 July 2011 at 7:00PM.

This program is very much about the development of junior / youth players. Not surprising, since we have just concluded another fantastic Kanga Cup and with that has come the realisation for many young players and parents that there are lots of good players beyond the boundaries of the ACT, particularly from Asia. The Around The Grounds, grand final special edition is at  http://www.capitalfootball.com.au/userfiles/KANGA%20CUP%20-%20GRAND%20FINALS.pdf



The two Korean teams (under 12 and Under 13 age groups), based as they are on Primary Schools that specialise in Football, were as ever, a delight to watch and so well disciplined and polite in all their dealing. So much to admire. The obvious visible difference is the much higher level of individual technical skill. The Head Coach of the AIS Jan Versleign spoke on this difference last week.


It was also interesting to note the difference between some interstate teams and ACT Div 1 Club teams at age. The Under 14 boys demonstrated just how advanced the top level age teams were by comparison to the best ACT club age teams in the Cup competition. This is not a criticism, just a fact and it points out how important the Kanga Cup is, because we get a chance to play these teams. It would be good if we had more of these opportunities, particularly for our representative age teams.  This is not news, but it does underscore the development gap.

We are getting better, but again, as we observed in our last program, the changes required by the FFA National Curriculum and Development plans will take several generations, not a quick fix. So, does it look like we are making progress here in the ACT? How can we make it better?
Picture beow is the ACT 2011 Under 14 Girls team (will publish the U15 team photo as soon as it arrives)

During the Kanga Cup, most of the best of our Under 14 and Under 15 Girls represented the ACT at the FFA National Junior Championships in Coffs Harbour. This is a very important Football competition where the best at age play for their State. Important conclusions are draw with regard to the implementation of the National Curriculum and Development plans. The senior womens' coaches do take note of emerging players at these competitions. In the case of the ACT girls, several made the "ALL Stars" teams for the final exhibition match. The one thing that is gleaned by coaches and parents alike, is how much "effective preparation", and I stress the word "effective", is undertaken by each State development process. All reports thus far indicate that the young ACT players gave their very best. Well done all the players and coaches and many thanks to parents of the players for their tireless support.
Were our Under 14 and Under 15 Girls squads as well prepared as they might have been is one question?
It seems unlikely and that requires some explanation.

The other question is how we can improve for 2012?
Our preparations / forward planing should have already commenced. It would be a good thing for CF to hold a parents forum for the parents of players in these teams and glean as much information as possible for 2012, a survey would assist, but holding a parents forum would be best. Parents like to know that what they have expereienced can be of use to others, and perhaps their own children if they are in representative teams again. And do it quickly because parents are already on to the next thing with their children.

The tensions that surround the talented junior players can be oppressive for the player and confusing / frustrating for parents. Every parent wants the best for their child and so it is in Football. But it s an expensive business for a family with a talented player and much more so when there is more than one child to provide opportunities for off a tight budget. Then of course, what is the best development opportunity for the child, in the context of every other little thing that goes on at school and so one. Not simple. How much is too much training, and what is the best training at age and how and who can or will provide it and at what cost. The preparation of ACT teams for the Nationals is swept into these considerations and often not reported on well by parents (or young players). This is the landscape travelled by the parents of emerging athletes in all disciplines and Football is no exception.





With these questions in mind, I have selected excepts from two interviews the NPL has conducted with two very authoritative sources – Aflred Galustian and Shinji Ishubashi of Coerver, and George Huitker the Director of Co-Curricular of Radford College. They speak on aspects of the development of the young Football player. The starting points are different, but their points of intersection and agreement are many. They  give pause for thought among all parents of players. Draw your own conclusions.

Once again, well done to all that played in the Kanga Cup 2011 and the U14 and U15 Girls ACT rep teams at the FFA National Junior Championships.


The High Cost of Playing the Game We Love

Sourced from the SBS World Game - http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/craig-foster/blog/1059837/The-high-cost-of-playing-the-game-we-love



It costs money to play Football. A bit too much of it.
For families, the costs associated with supporting thier children to play and more so for parents with a talented young player(s), the costs have become formidable. Say what you like, its now costing too much, even here in the ACT.
This Post on Craig Foster's Blog for the SBS World Game will make very, very interesting reading for those that have not caught up with it.
The cost of registration alone in the NSW Youth Premier League is outrageous - how do families support this?
The costs for many families in the ACT is big enough now (though not to the extent mentioned by Foster in this Post) and then its on to Futsal (or not, depending how much is left of a family's disposable income). Parents with children who they wish to see, become as good as they can be, must shell out a lot more money than the registration fee within the CF development processes.
Couple this with the leakage of valuable Club funds and sponsors' dollars to player payments for some in our Premier League and its no wonder the cost of playing Football continues to increase. It is also the reason that some big Junior Clubs are hesitant when it comes to joining and underwriting a senior club with a Premier League licence or aspirations of doing so - and with good reason!.
For Capital Football, registration fees and fees charged for the delvery of development programs constitute a primary source of revenue.

There is a lot to this subject and it affects Football in the ACT region.

I'm with Foster on this one.

The high cost of playing the game we love
07 Jun 2011
00:00-Craig Foster

Having spent a few nights at football presentations in the past week with St George FC, the famous former home of Johnny Warren, as well as St Joseph’s College in Brisbane, which is devoting great time and effort to developing a football program, there are many messages I was reminded of by those at the grass roots.

One stands out above all else. The punitive cost of playing football in Australia.

Speaking with NSW Minister of Sport and Recreation, the Hon. Graham Annesley MP, at the St George dinner, I made the point that football is such a magnificent game that has grown consistently at a participation level over the last few decades. Yet clubs continue to drastically overcharge for the privilege.

When the day comes that football is cheap or free for everyone, we will quadruple our numbers.

More participants mean more potential A-League fans, building a cycle of support for the game’s longterm success.

The excessive cost of playing must be a primary strategic area for Football Federation Australia to tackle, for both the recreational player and the elite youngster.

In some areas of the country, kids are paying registration fees of up to $400, which is ridiculous for a game that should always be available to all. Over 35 fees, by comparison, can be upwards of $350.

A family of four, who all want to play, are asked fork out upwards of $1,000 in registration fees, let alone the added costs of uniforms and boots. This simply has to stop. It’s counterproductive to football’s progress, as well as being far in excess of other codes and a huge ask for many who love the game, such as new migrants and refugees.

The irony of forking out big dollars for a game that is, by nature, accessible to all, is not lost on anybody.
A national study into the football economy is required to track where the registration fees go, assess how to streamline the system and cut the significant duplication of resources that perpetuates the current system.
We are still waiting for any progress in this regard from FFA.

While the cost of having a kick every weekend for your local club is growing, it is the charging of several thousand dollars for elite youth players that is particularly disgraceful and a common gripe among parents with a talented child.

In Sydney, a Premier Youth League player will pay anything from $1800 to more $2000, with some clubs mandating extra sessions with an external academy, so throw in a thousand on top for good measure.

Add to that the cost of trips and tournaments and the families of our brightest future stars are paying up to $5,000 per season.

The main reason for the fees is that Premier and State League clubs are paying their first team players hundreds of dollars a week and passing the cost onto the parents of their youth teams.

This is a disgraceful practice and must stop. The question is, how?

One way is to legislate a national salary cap of the senior teams. Alternatively, we could cap the amount payable by youth players, an option I favour.

Any cap on payments to senior players would be cumbersome to administer at State Federation level, with scope for a black economy in player payments without necessarily lifting the burden on parents below.
Whereas a national cap on registration fees would change the economic distribution of funds overnight.
The immediate effect would be that clubs would be financially unable to maintain current payments and the entire Premier and State League economies would collapse.

They should. It is no longer acceptable for first teams to be paid in excess of a hundred thousand dollars in player payments and for thie cost of this to simply be passed onto parents of the youth team.

Long term, the hundreds of thousands of dollars finding its way into the pockets of senior players would be redirected to training junior players, inverting the current system.

Australian football, in the medium term, cannot sustain payments to players at levels under the A-League, so those playing at lower levels must do so for love until the game grows commercially to the point where it can feed money down from the top level.

It would be preferable to legislate an age quota at Premier League level to ensure 50 percent of squads are aged 23 and below to create a talent nursery rather than leagues with aging players earning their last dollar from the game.

Of course, those State Federations charging exorbitant fees for a Premier League license should be called to account by FFA to reduce the burden on clubs and further negate the need to overcharge.

For the foreseeable future, the whole football economy below the A-League is completely unsustainable and reliant on the parents of young hopefuls forking out exorbitant amounts for the privilege of giving their child a chance to develop a football career.

It’s time to give the parents a break.

Cap the fees payable by parents at every level across the nation, and the game will be forced to restructure to accommodate a more sustainable reality.


No youth player, whether recreational or elite, should ever have to pay more than a few hundred dollars for the right to play.

The disgraceful gouging of parents must come to an end.

An Interview with the Dean of the Anticipated Veterinary College at Lincoln Memorial University

Posted July 17, 2011
Written by Donald F. Smith, DVM, Cornell University

In a course I give at Cornell on the history of veterinary medicine, I ask students to predict where the next veterinary college will be established. Because most of the 28 current colleges are part of land grant universities in small or moderately-sized cities, we talk about the prospects of building a veterinary college in a large metropolitan area, affiliated with a major medical school and also a school of public health to take advantage of the growing awareness of the need to unite human and animal health.

Some students were surprised, therefore, to read the recent news reports that new veterinary colleges are being considered in small college campuses in rural communities of Magnolia, Arkansas and Harrogate, Tennessee.[1]


Dr. Randy Evans, dean of the proposed
College of Veterinary and Comparative Medicine,
Lincoln Memorial University (Tenn).
Photo provided by Dr. Evans.
To get a better understanding of the anticipated College of Veterinary and Comparative Medicine at Tennessee's Lincoln Memorial University (LMU), I talked to the dean of the new venture, Dr. Randy Evans. A graduate of Auburn University, Evans was program director of two- and four-year veterinary technology programs at LMU for 19 years. He also directs the School of Allied Health Sciences that has programs in medical technology, social work, athletic training and physical therapy. The university has a program in osteopathic medicine.

Lincoln Memorial University is a small, private non-profit university that emphasizes preparing graduates to work in Appalachia and other underserved areas. So when Dr. Evans attended national meetings on veterinary education last year and learned of the emergence of veterinary colleges that use private practices rather than costly university medical centers to teach the practical aspects of clinical medicine, the wheels began to turn back at LMU.

The university also adopted the concept of a six-year combined undergraduate and veterinary degree program, rather than the more typical eight years to complete both curricula. “This will be the first two-plus-four year program in the country”, he told me, “and that will help reduce student debt, which is one of the current impediments to working in rural communities”.

Dr. Evans and his colleagues at LMU are hiring faculty for anticipated opening in fall 2012. An initial visit from the AVMA’s accrediting body is scheduled for this fall. However, many veterinarians are concerned that the recent growth in veterinary enrollment in the 28 established colleges is compromising the ability of new graduates to find meaningful employment at a time when the economic climate remains uncertain. Dr. Evans responds, “We believe that veterinarians can still make a living in Appalachia and other underserved areas if they are willing to roll up their sleeves and work hard”.

Though LMU is located just 50 miles from the Knoxville campus of Tennessee’s current veterinary college, Evans anticipates recruiting students from a national pool because they do not receive direct support from the state.


[1] A third veterinary program is being considered at Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona, located in Phoenix metro area.

Dr. Smith invites comments at dfs6@cornell.edu.

National Junior Championships - Girls Under 14 and Under 15 - Can We Do More For Our Talented Players?

The following is sourced from the Northern NSW Football Facebook website.

The "Nationals" are over for our ACT representative teams. They did as well as may be expected. But can we do more for our young talented female players?

The Under 14 Girls held their position in Group A for 2012 and the Under 15 Girls finished second in Group B and will remain in Group B for the 2012. Clearly the players and coaches have done well to hold the line, as it were. What will next year hold, given the steady progress in other states?

A question - Can we do better in 2012? And another - Why do we keep asking ourselves this question?

There was disquiet among some parents for the lack of effective preparation prior to (and I don't mean a few short weeks out from the championships) the commencement of the championships in both age groups, as there was concern for a continuing lack of depth in playing strength in the Under 15 age group ( a deficiency identified last year in the Under 14 age group but not remedied) and, the inability to get all the players to training sessions due to competing Club competition, Club tours and development opportunities (leaving aside the ordinary illness and other family matters that always arise).

There are a lot of competing demands on these young players and where does ACT representation sit in that hierarchy of opportunities?  Perhaps the most surprising complaint / concern expressed was the lack of preparation games / fixtures  for the squads prior to the Nationals. If true, it must have placed our representative teams and their coaches in a position of significant disadvantage, given the extensive preparation undertaken by the big junior football performers such as NSW Metro, Victoria and Queensland.

I can recall one notable exception to this pathology in recent times in junior girls football - The ACT Under 13 Girls of 2010, coached by Colin Johnston. Colin has extensive experience in junior player development, he develops good football habits among his young players, he was the coach that made all the difference at Woden Valley SC as "technical director", the very earliest practitioner of small sided games in the ACT that I can recall in community based club football, he trained lots of junior community based coaches in his methods (which were much of what is the national curriculumum is today in these age groups) and set standards that are copied by other Clubs. In this area of football, his knowledge and experience dwarfed anything resident at Capital Football in its time. The results of lengthy and well directed preparation, which included in excess of thirty matches (and they traveled to get them - all supported by parents of the players) resulted in a superb performance at the Nationals last year, high technical points assessment, several players in the All Stars and one of them subsequently selected for the inaugural Australian Under 13 Girls team, while he was awarded the task of coaching the All Stars team in the final fixture (take that to mean a big thumbs up from those that know Football). This was the standard for all our future efforts! Nothing less is required in order to be competitive among the girls and boys age groups at a National competitive level. So it can be done.

However, back to that question(s) - Can we do better in 2012? And another - Why do we keep asking ourselves this question?


The NPL Local will ask these and related questions of the CF Technical Director when he gives his promised second interview. Royston is smart football fellow - he will have answers. What is it we are not seeing or do not know on this subject? If there is a better way ahead, what is the plan and how long before it gets going? We need to know.

Here are the final table results for the Championships:







Cafe Ro-Ann

Back in high school I had a friend who made me crazy with her habit of being late for everything.  I, on the other hand, drove her nuts with my obsessive punctuality.  Well, that punctuality went down the tubes once I had my three children.  For some reason, regardless of how early I got started, I never seemed to be able to get anywhere on time.  Now, as an empty-nester, I'm back to the old "if you're not early, you're late" mindset......until this week.  My daughter, Liz, arrived in PE this past Wednesday evening and will be here visiting us for about five weeks.  I love having her here, however, Thursday morning, despite getting up earlier than usual for the coffee crawl, Liz and I ended up leaving for the crawl very late.  Heading down Main Road in Walmer I received a call from a group of crawlers who had already assembled at Cafe Ro-Ann wondering where I was.  I reassured them that I was on my way and silently resigned myself to the fact that I probably won't be on time for anything (including this posting) for the next five weeks......thank you, Liz!!!

I was very excited for this week's crawl because I'd heard so many great things about Cafe Ro-Ann ever since we moved here about a year ago.  I decided that it would be the perfect choice for Liz's first crawl.  Cafe Ro-Ann is located at 144 Villiers Road in Walmer and is open every day for breakfast and lunch.  Upon passing through the gate at Cafe Ro-Ann, patrons enter an outside garden area with numerous picnic tables along with a small play area for children.  Indoors, the shop includes three rooms, the green room, the orange room, and the smoking room, all of which have plenty of available seating.  The cafe offers free wireless internet for all patrons!!!

Our Waitress and the Owner
Alicia and Lynda Davies


Lynda Davies has owned Cafe Ro-Ann for three years.  She chatted with Liz and me after this week's crawlers departed, and introduced us to her staff.  Lynda's top priority is that she and her staff are all "doing it right" to ensure satisfied customers.  Well, Lynda, you all certainly "did it right" on Thursday morning as all of this week's crawlers, Fran and Keith de Beer, Les Baldwin, Nomusa Nkomo, Beryl and Stella Dawson, Gail Darne, June Nash, Beth Vieira, Margaret Zoetmulder, my husband, Lou, and my daughter, Liz will definitely be return customers.  As for the Ciro brand coffee, all the crawlers enjoyed their beverages prepared by barista, Melonisha Arends, and served by Alicia, but Liz especially liked her latte.  Nice job, Melonisha and Alicia!!!

This week's thirteen crawlers met in the orange room around a large table with three smaller tables pushed together to accommodate all of us.  After introducing Liz to everyone our initial conversation revolved around accents, and with South Africa having 11 official languages, there was much to discuss!  Everyone then took turns teaching my baby girl inappropriate, rated PG words and phrases in Afrikaans.  The geography of Africa then had everyone stumped but Liz came to the rescue and impressed all present by hand drawing a map of the African continent and labeling all the countries.  I cross checked it with the world map when I got home....she nailed it!  We discussed our plans for Liz's five week visit here....she's certainly looking forward to exploring South Africa.  Lastly, all the crawlers agreed that Liz must be the favorite child since Lou joined us for her first crawl but was nowhere to be found for Jeff's!  OUCH!

Thank you to Lynda and staff...I did make the perfect choice for this week's crawl...and thank you for the biscuits!!!  (sorry so late with the post)
Happy Birthday to Prudie Brown who shares her big day with Nelson Mandela on Monday, July 18.

Finally, to my high school friend, Karen.....I'm still waiting for my Christmas card!!!

Until next week (actually, later this week),

Ellen

This Week's Crawlers
Lou, Liz, Keith, Margaret, Beth, June, Stella, Fran, Gail, Beryl, Les, Nomusa

Meet the Barista
Melonisha Arends

My Husband and Daughter
Lou and Liz
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