News & Information General News Senior Football Junior Football Coaching & Development Publicity/Photos Referee Info Wet Weather Draw/Results Current Field Legend Junior Comp Structure Archives Champion of Champions Association Information Contact Documents & Forms Rules, By-Laws & Regulations Child Protection Conduct Codes Sponsors Downloads Club Information Club Details Ground Locations Field Legend Round Robins

21st July 2008
Matildas' Captain to visit Nambucca Heads/Macksville


PHOTO: Cheryl with Nambucca Heads junior Jordan McRae while she was here in Coffs last year

Cheryl Salisbury, the Captain of the Matildas (Australia's National Women’s team) will be attending training sessions at Nambucca Heads and Macksville this Thursday as part of her promotional work with sports company Nike.

Cheryl has played over 150 Internationals for Australia (more than any other man or woman) and has been the Captain since 2003.

Her record is hard to match having taken part in all four World Cups the Matildas have qualified for (1995, 1999, 2003 and 2007), with a playing career in Japan and USA and selection in the star studded FIFA All-Star women's team which played world champions Germany in 2004 in France to celebrate FIFA's 100th birthday.

Nambucca Heads Club President John Cassidy sees this as an opportunity to give his club's players the chance to be inspired by one of the game's elite players.

"She is a friendly, down-to-earth person who is a great inspiration to our local football players, particularly the girls," said Mr. Cassidy.

Cheryl works as a Sales representative for Nike Pacific and is touring northern NSW as part of a promotional tour for the company, showing football clubs Nike's range of performance, training and casual clothing as well as balls which are the preferred make used in the current North Coast Football men's & women's 1st division competition.

Cheryl Salisbury will call in to Macksville on Thursday afternoon (July 24th) and will then be at Coronation Park in Nambucca Heads for the women's teams training session at 6pm.

Terry Allen
Media Officer
North Coast Football
Email: Terry Allen

12th July 2008
NNSW teams play their final matches at NYC


PHOTO: The Northern NSW 15 years girls team following their final match of the National Youth Championships.

The Northern NSW (NNSW) 15 years girls team finished fourth at the National Youth Championship held in Coffs Harbour this week, going down 3-1 to Queensland in the 3rd vs 4th placed playoff on Friday.

The team, which features three locals: Ashli Deane, Sarah Marsden and Georgia Burt, showed obvious signs of tiredness today in their final match, however it was an improved result considering Queensland beat them 5-nil in the pool match when the two met earlier in the week.

To be honest, the game slipped away in the first 2½ minutes as Queensland hit the ground running and hit the net with their first two shots of the game. Both shots found the NNSW keeper struggling to reach the high ball and snuck in just under the cross bar. It was a shock to be kicking off again at the three minute mark being behind 2 nil, but the girls rallied.

It was entertaining football from here on with few chances at either end, but in the 8th minute the game was effectively over when Queensland was awarded a direct free kick just outside the box on the left hand side. It was struck firmly and the NNSW keeper looked to have it covered but again it flew over her head and just under the crossbar towards the far post. Less than 10 minutes gone and it was 3-nil to Queensland.

The second half was an even contest with NNSW attacking the grandstand side of the field to the constant support of their family, friends and the NNSW 17 years squad who were front row for the match.

NNSW did not concede a goal in the second half and pulled one back five minutes in from a set piece. A corner was awarded to NNSW and it was taken beautifully, coming down right on the six yard line in the middle of goal. It was met for the header by striker Tara Andrews, who had made a run from a few metres away and flew untouched into the net. (NB: Tara Andrews ended the tournament second on the NIKE Golden Boot points tally with 7 goals).

The rest of the game was played out with even possession but with NNSW needing two more goals to take the game into extra time, the task was too great and in the end Queensland thoroughly deserved their win.

The NNSW 17 years team finished the tournament in 7th position with today’s 4-2 win over Victoria. It was quite an effort considering they trailed two nil at half time.

Next year, at least nine of the 15 years team will still be eligible for the 15 years competition so we look forward to big things from that squad in 2009. However that also leaves NNW selectors the job of finding replacements for the 17 years girls who will be too old for the tournament next year. Whoever they pick, they will be returning to Coffs Harbour with the harbour side City locked in to host the tournament for the next three years.

For latest Results & Points Tables during the NYC Championships, see:

Terry Allen
Media Officer
North Coast Football
Email: Terry Allen

10th July 2008
NYC Semi-Final Results

Results of tonight's Semi Finals at the National Youth Championships for Girls' Football:

15 Years Division
NSW Country 1 Queensland 0
NSW 5 Northern NSW 1

17 Years Division
Western Australia 2 NSW 0
Queensland 1 South Australia 0

Our congratulations to the girls from Northern NSW 15's who, despite the lopsided final score line, played a dramatic and closely fought semi against their more highly fancied rivals, NSW. The game was so tight, it had to be decided in extra time. NNSW & NSW kicked off at 6pm and NNSW spent the next hour rising to the occasion against a team who had not conceded a goal in the tournament to date. That record tumbled as Northern hit the back of the next in one of the more exciting moments of the week so far.

However, NSW also managed to score, leaving the teams locked at 1-all at the end of the 60 minutes. The teams played two ten minute periods of extra time in which NSW banged in four more goals to run out convincing winners 5-1. Northern had played their hearts out but were simply too tired to compete late in the game (it was both teams' fifth match of the week).

The results mean Saturday's final in the 15 years competition will be played between NSW and NSW Country after the Country team shocked second favourites Queensland 1-nil earlier in the day. That game kicks off 9am Saturday at BCU International Stadium.

In the 17 years competition, Queensland will play Western Australia. Kick off 9.30am Saturday, also at BCU International Stadium.

Tomorrow (Friday) the remainder of the teams not in today's semi finals will play off to determine their final ranking all the way down to number 10. This is used to seed the team's in next year's competition. There are four games in each age group tomorrow; the first kicks off at 10.30am & the last at 3.45pm.

For latest Results & Points Tables during the NYC Championships, see:

Terry Allen
Media Officer
North Coast Football
Email: Terry Allen

10th July 2008
McDonald's Football Scholarships

A total of forty two (42) rising football stars from across Northern NSW have been selected from hundreds of junior players to receive a McDonald's Northern NSW Football Scholarship.

The players have been presented with a cheque for $500 in recent days by local McDonald's licensee's in their area and Northern NSW Football to help further their training and development in the sport.

"We are so thrilled to award these scholarships," McDonald's spokesperson Adrian Cullen said. "They are an outstanding group of young sports men and women and we hope that this $500 will assist them with ongoing training, equipment and transport. They have consistently displayed a passion for the game and dedication to training. I know that they each have a bright future ahead and this scholarship will certainly help them along the way," Cullen said.


PHOTO: Matthew Hughes, Ryan Cole, Samuel Jarrett and David Adjassou, pictured with David Munro from McDonalds in Coffs Harbour


PHOTO: McDonald's Northern NSW Scholarship winners Sarah Marsden & Georgia Burt

David Smith, Football Manager for Northern NSW Football, is grateful to McDonald's Northern NSW restaurants for their ongoing commitment to football in the region. "With the help of McDonald's Northern NSW, we have been able to develop and grow junior football at grassroots level and encourage more children to lead a balanced and active lifestyle," said David.

McDonald's and Northern NSW Football scholarships have helped over 80 junior players realise their sporting dreams. In the inaugural year in 2004, Coffs Harbour's Jenna Tristram was one of the first to receive a scholarship. Jenna is now a member of the women's national team the Matildas.

Newcastle Jets player, Ben Kantarovski, is another to have captured the eye of development officers, this time in the 2006 scholarship program. Ben is the youngest player ever to sign an A-League contract, when at just 15 years of age he signed with the Newcastle Jets.

The football scholarships form part of a significant sponsorship between McDonald's and Northern NSW Football, now in its fifth year. The sponsorship also includes the support of more than 260 clubs within Northern NSW Football as well as the McDonald's Schools Coaching Clinics, which focus on the important role that exercise plays in junior development.

The forty two (42) players recognised across Northern NSW in the 2008 McDonald's Scholarship program are:

North Coast Football - Sarah Marsden, Georgia Burt, Matthew Hughes, Michael Finlayson, Samual Jarrett, David Adjassou

Newcastle Football - Mikaela Howell, Courtney Miller, Nicholas Bennett, Terry Surjan, Ari Tusek, Amara Kromah.

Hunter Valley - Daniel Walton, Ainsley Buchanan, Sophie Stapleford, Hayden Witherspoon, Jessica Groizard, Alison Louge

Macquarie - Blake Green, Patrick Brown, Abe Wheelhouse, Dominic Bizzarri, Jarrod Olivieri, Luke Remington

Northern Inland - Brad MacKenzie, Jodi Harris, Amy Howard, Sterling Wylie, George Rixon, James Eccles

Football Far North Coast - Danielle Creighton, Ruby Edwards, Samuel Robson, Shani Lauf, Ryan Cole, Tanya de Boer

Football Mid North Coast - Georgia Peterson, Grant Bullock, Cassandra Wilks, Dean Rounsevell, Patrick Coelho, Reece Coleman


- Report courtesy of: www.northernnswfootball.com.au

9th July 2008
NNSW 15 Girls Qualify for NYC Semi Finals

The NNSW 15 years team has qualified for the Semi Final stage of the NYC on a dramatic day five (Wednesday) at BCU International Stadium in Coffs Harbour.

Going into today's pool match with Northern Territory (NT), NNSW needed to win to earn enough competition points to go through to the semis. A draw would have left them a dozen goals behind Western Australia who drew with the highly fancied QLD team earlier in the day.

NNSW beat NT 11-nil in a comprehensive display to immediately move from fourth position, in a five team pool, into second. Only the top two go though and so now NNSW is into the knockout round.

The result means two things; firstly that NNSW will finish in the top four of this year's tournament and possibly higher and secondly, that local girls will come under close scrutiny by Football Federation Australia selectors who will obviously be keeping a keen eye on the performance of individuals whose teams made it into the finals.

Three girls from North Coast Football are in the NNSW 15 years team; Sarah Marsden, Georgia Burt and Ashli Deane.

This afternoon in the 15 years competition at the National Youth Championships of Girls' Football, NSW beat NSW Country by 2 goals to nil.

That means the draw for tomorrow's 15s semi-finals will be as follows;
4pm: Queensland vs NSW Country
6pm: NSW vs Northern NSW

The final standings mean all 3 NSW teams got through to the last four. The favourites are definitely NSW & Queensland the two pool winners with the Blues remaining the only team so far to not concede a goal in the 15 years competition and the Qld 15's team only conceding one goal (and that was this morning after they had already qualified for the semi's).

17 years girls final standings
Queensland has become the final team to qualify for the semi-finals in the 17 years National Youth Championships in Girls' Football after a 2-1 win over Northern NSW in Coffs Harbour today. The result means Qld finishes second to NSW in Group A with South Australia finishing top of Group B and Western Australia in second position. The final standings create a delightful scenario with four separate States represented and all very competitive.

NSW Country would have been barracking for NNSW today with a win for Northern meaning Country would have held onto second spot, but it was not to be. NNSW played a determined match, but were simply outclassed by their rivals north of the border. Even a win here would not have been enough to put NNSW through to the semi's after having already lost two matches and only winning one.

Tomorrow's Semi Final draw in the 17 years Girls' NYC is as follows;
4pm: NSW vs Western Australia
6pm: South Australia vs Queensland

All matches are played at BCU International Stadium.

For latest Results & Points Tables during the NYC Championships, see:

Terry Allen
Media Officer
North Coast Football
Email: Terry Allen

8th July 2008
Coffs Harbour to host NYC for 3 more years

Football Federation Australia (FFA) have given Northern NSW Football a major vote of support by announcing that Coffs Harbour will continue to host the National Youth Championships for a further three (3) years up to and including 2011.

The announcement was made on Saturday by the FFA's Head of Game Development, Matt Bulkeley, at the official opening ceremony for the Girls National Youth Championships at BCU International Stadium at Coffs Harbour.

The decision is a coup for the local Coffs Harbour economy, with the Championships bringing over 500 players into the North Coast for both the girls and boys Nationals, plus family and officials. The girls and boys National Championships are held in July and October respectively each year and represent the pinnacle of junior football in Australia.

The Championships provide a showcase of the best junior players from around Australia and provide the FFA with the perfect vehicle from which to select the next generation of men's and women's national squads.

Operations Manager for Northern NSW Football and Championship Co-ordinator Alan Nisbet said the announcement was welcomed by both players and officials alike.

"This is arguably the best facility for football in the State and feedback from the FFA, players and officials was that the benchmark had been set at Coffs Harbour in relation to the stadium facilities, the quality of the playing surface and the overall management of the Championships," Nisbet said. "We look forward to being able to continue for another three years playing a key role in the development of these young players, by hosting them at a facility that is worthy of a tournament of this significance."

Further details about the Championships can be found at:
National Youth Championships


- Report courtesy of: www.northernnswfootball.com.au

7th July 2008
Free Money...

Free Money... Free Money...
Free Money... Free Money...

Attention all NCFZ members

Escape Travel Coffs Harbour will give your club Free Money!

Yes that's right it is free, we all need to travel so why not get paid to do it?

Every time you book flights, holidays, car hire, accommodation, tours or travel insurance we will pay a reward to your club.

So put the word around your families, friends and work colleagues, get them to mention you and your club and the reward will be paid, it's as easy as that!

Also don't forget that the Team at Escape Travel is providing the major raffle prize and selling tickets is a dead easy way of getting even more money for your club.

Amazingly you'll get to keep 80% of the takings, lets face it... that has to be better than many of the alternative fund raising activities!

Now you know how it works, spread the word,
there is such a thing as FREE money!

Click on the link above to visit: www.escapetravel.com.au

1st July 2008
Local Girls get ready for National Titles


PHOTO: Photo (left to right): Sarah Marsden, Loren Caban, Ashli Deane, Georgia Burt.

Coffs Harbour is the host City for this weekend's Girls National Youth Championships in 17 years and 15 years football and locals who attend matches will be following with interest four players in particular who are from our region.

Northern NSW Football is entering its own team separate to the two other teams from NSW (NSW and NSW Country) and four players from North Coast Football were named after a gruelling selection camp held two weeks ago.

Loren Caban is a 16 year old student at CHEC and is the oldest player from NCF to be selected to play in the Nationals. Loren lives at Boambee and plays in the NCF team in the 15 years boys' competition. Loren is the only NCF registered player to be selected in the NNSW 17 years squad.

15 year old Ashli Deane is a student at South Grafton High and plays for NCF in the 16/17 years boys' competition. Ashli travels from Nymboida for training and games each week and will play in the NNSW 15 years team.

14 year old Sarah Marsden is a student at Coffs Harbour Christian Community School who breathes the fresh mountain air of home in Dorrigo. Sarah also plays for the NCF squad in the local 16/17 years boys' competition.

14 year old Georgia Burt is a Korora girl who attends Coffs Harbour High School. Georgia plays in the 15 years boys' competition for the NCF rep team.

The National Youth Championships is watched by some important people in Football Federation Australia and is considered the main pathway to possible selection in the Olympic team and eventually the Matildas.

The opening ceremony will be held at 8.30am on Saturday at BCU International Stadium, where all of the games are being played, followed by the first matches at 9.45am.

The NNSW 17 years squad has no time to waste, taking part in the very first match against Tasmania at 9.45am. The girls then have 24 hours to recover before a grudge match against NSW.

The NNSW 15 years squad plays its first match against Capital Football, from Canberra, at 11.30am on Saturday, then has a bye on Sunday before a Monday clash with Queensland kicking off at 1pm.

The Girls National Youth Championships conclude with Finals matches on Saturday July 12th which is a holiday for all juniors in North Coast Football. From everyone at North Coast Football, best of luck to our four girls taking part. Enjoy the experience, play fair and have fun.

Further details about the Championships can be found at:
National Youth Championships

Terry Allen
Media Officer
North Coast Football
Email: Terry Allen

27th June 2008
Urunga women to play Tasmania's 17 years squad


PHOTO: Urunga Raiders 1st Division Women's team.

The Urunga Raiders 1st Division Women's team are in for a real test next week after putting up their hand to give the Tasmanian 17 Years Women's State Squad a friendly match at Bellingen on Wednesday 2nd July.

The Tasmanians are in Coffs Harbour for the upcoming National Titles and need a hit out in order to fine tune their game and acclimatise, so the current North Coast Football competition leaders have volunteered to see them in action first hand.

Raiders' coach Kim Preece said "We are very proud to be given the opportunity to play at this level of football against highly talented teams like that of the Tasmanian Squad and recently against Lennox Head in the Northern Champions Cup. The experience our players gain is excellent and will be a vital part of the overall team's development for the 2008 season".

The Raiders have great respect for the Tasmanian Squad, whose players and coaching staff have put in many months of selection, training and development in the lead up to the Nationals.

This game will be their final chance to get some combinations going and fine tune their set pieces before the Tournament begins.

Many thanks go to the committee of the Bellingen Football Club for their assistance and use of fields on the night. See the match in Bellingen on Wednesday night, kick-off at 7.00pm.

The players and staff of the Urunga Raiders Football Club wish the Tasmanian State Squads (17's & 15's) all the very best in 2008 Women's National Championships.

The Australian Women's Nationals commence on Saturday 5th July at BCU International Stadium in Coffs Harbour.

Further details about the Championships can be found at:
National Youth Championships

Terry Allen
Media Officer
North Coast Football
Email: Terry Allen

27th June 2008
Football Scholarship Program

INTENSIVE
TRAINING
CENTRE

North Coast Football is offering a football scholarship program to all NCF registered players wishing to enhance their football development through participation in its Intensive Training Centre.

The Intensive Training Centre (ITC) will run at two locations, Grafton (northern region) to cater for players living in the Clarence Valley, and Coffs Harbour (southern region) for players living on the Coffs Coast. The ITC will accommodate the following age groups:

Academy Feeder Program - players aged 10 and 11 years (born 1997-98)

Academy Program - players aged 12 to 16 years (born 1992-96)

Players selected into the ITC will be registered to play with their local club side and will only be called upon to play for NCF at irregular intervals during the season.

The ITC will be a comprehensive training program that will be offered to players identified by NCF coaching staff seeking to develop their technical attributes and tactical awareness skills in a highly motive learning environment. The ITC will provide players with the opportunity to develop correct ball techniques in a stable learning environment that will initially provide a pressure free environment while the fundamentals are being learnt to an environment that will increase the pressure as competency levels increase.

Participating players will receive the following training regimes:

Speed, Agility & Quickness Development

SAQ development will be undertaken to enable players to become better athletes.

         introduce and reinforce football-specific techniques at match speed;

         reinforce basic co-ordination skills (fast feet, jumping, running &n turning);

         provide for quick reaction to visual, auditory and tactical stimuli;

         enhance anticipation through familiarity with typical game situations; and

         provide rapid attack/defence switching through exercises in tight spaces.

Technical Development:

Technical development will be undertaken to perfect technique for all players, irrespective of their playing position.

         ability appropriate full range of ball techniques, feints and fakes;

         controlled yet creative ball control;

         training that allows players to learn to play by playing; and

         techniques adapted at increased speed once the technical foundation is
         achieved.

Tactical Development:

Tactical development will be undertaken to encourage players to become versatile & creative.

         individual attack based training sessions as a precursor to group tactics;

         versatile, accurate high speed training activities;

         training activities that enable the player to exhibit confident, flexible ball
         control;

         training activities that build a solid attack with combination play;

         training activities that allow a player to move with the ball;

         training activities that provide opportunities to win the ball quickly; and

         training activities to promote creativity, independence and self-confidence.

ITC Programs on Offer:

Academy Feeder Program

Who: players aged 10 to 11 years (born 1997-98) at time of enrolment

Cost: $200 annum (~$3:50 per training session)

Training parameters will consist of a Summer program providing approximately 28 training sessions:

commencing mid October and running for 8 weeks, twice weekly (post season)

recommencing late January and running for 6 weeks, twice weekly (pre season)

Training parameters will consist of a Winter program providing approximately 28 training sessions:

commencing March, at the conclusion of the Summer program, and running through to August, once weekly plus some school holiday sessions (in season)

AFP players also have the choice and opportunity to train & play with their local club

Academy Program

Who: players aged 12 to 16 years (born 1992-96) at time of enrolment

Cost: $300 per annum (~$3:50 per training session)

Training parameters will consist of a Summer program providing approximately 28 training sessions:

commencing mid October and running for 8 weeks, twice weekly (post season)

recommencing late January and running for 6 weeks, twice weekly (pre season)

Training parameters will consist of a Winter program providing approximately 56 training sessions:

commencing March, at the conclusion of the Summer program, and running through to August, twice weekly plus some school holiday sessions (in season)

Academy players will be encouraged to restrict their training sessions to only involve the ITC training, however they will have the opportunity to play & train with their local club

ITC Player Numbers:

ITC player numbers will be restricted to no more than 76 players across the NCF Zone in order to provide all participating payers with the optimum learning environment.

Want to Know More:

ITC information sessions will be held at the following venues:

South Services Club Grafton on 1 August commencing at 6pm

Coffs Harbour Ex Services Club on 7 August commencing at 6pm

Player selection trials will be advised during the information sessions.

For further information contact NCF Coaching & Development Manager, Bruce Wallace on 0413 084 125 or the NCF Grafton office (Monday & Wednesday) on 6643 4700 or the NCF Coffs Harbour office (Monday to Friday) on 6651 2159.

The above information is available for download:
(to download, 'right click' on the filename & choose 'Save target as...')

NCF ITC Fact Sheet
(Microsoft Word file, 55kb)



Bruce Wallace
Director of Coaching
North Coast Football

27th June 2008 - updated 3/7
Junior Licence Course

There will be a Junior Licence Course for interested coaches on the following dates:

NB: The majority of the course will now be held at Sportz Central, Bray Street Coffs Harbour.



The course consists of the following:

Junior Licence Course Objectives & Outcome
Identify the training requirements of the junior players
Identify the learning behaviours of junior players
Prepare a training session appropriate to the needs of the junior players
Facilitate the learning of the fundamentals techniques/skills
Identify basic safety and first aid requirements
Implement basic playing rules
Evaluate the effectiveness of their coaching behaviour

The cost of the course is $125 per participant. The NCFZ Management Committee has advised that NCF will assist clubs with this cost by contributing $50 per participant. A minimum of 14 candidates is required in order for the course to proceed.

At this stage, there are no plans to run a junior licence course in the Clarence Valley. However, if a sufficient number of candidates from Clarence clubs express an interest, a course may be organised in the Grafton area for early August.

Clubs will need to confirm numbers (name & contact phone number of candidates) to:
admin@northcoastfootball.com.au by no later than Friday 4th July.



Bruce Wallace
Director of Coaching
North Coast Football

17th June 2008
School Holiday GOALKEEPING Clinics

McDonalds Fast Feet
Super Skills
School Holiday
GOALKEEPING Clinics

STRICTLY LIMITED PLACES FOR GIRLS & BOYS AGED 9-13 YEARS

The goalkeeper is a unique and specialist position. They can use their hands; they have a complete view of the game; they dress and communicate differently. They jump, dive, fly, catch and punch. They throw themselves at kicking feet and nodding heads. Come along and participate in the Goalkeeping Program to develop your skills and agility.

Participants will receive:
16 hrs of programmed specialist goalkeeping technical development from NCF Goalkeeping Coach
the opportunity to be considered for the NCF Junior Development Program
McDonalds coaching certificate and encouragement awards
a BBQ lunch will be provided on the Thursday for all camp participants

COST: $75.00

LOCATIONS & TIMES:

WHERE	WHEN	TIME
Opal Cove Grounds, Korora	14 - 17 July 2008	9am to 1pm daily
Toormina Oval, Toormina	7 - 10 July 2008	9am to 1pm daily

Application Forms for each location are available for download below:
(to download, 'right click' on the filename & choose 'Save target as...')

FF Goalkeepers Clinic - Korora July 08
(Microsoft Word file, 54kb)

FF Goalkeeping Clinic - Toormina July 08
(Microsoft Word file, 55kb)

Nominations to attend the clinics will be treated on an as received basis. Places are to be restricted, see Application Form for details. Don't delay, get your application in NOW!

NOTE: ALL APPLICATION FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH THE NORTH COAST FOOTBALL OFFICE BY THE CLOSING DATE (see form) AS LATE APPLICATIONS MAY NOT BE ACCEPTED.

PLAYERS MUST BRING ALONG THEIR OWN BALL AS BALLS WILL NOT BE SUPPLIED

FOR FURTHER DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT:
North Coast Football - Ph: 6651 2159

For more info about David Curley & goalkeeping, see: NCF Goalkeeping Program



Bruce Wallace
Director of Coaching
North Coast Football

13th June 2008
Referees Course

13 years of age and older?
Would you like to be a football referee?

We will be running a new referees course on:

Sun 22 June
9:00AM - 4:00PM
Coffs Hbr Community Centre,
Lunch break, 12:00 noon, not provided.

Course cost is $40 - includes law chart, work books and lesson manuals.

Bookings are essential

For more details, please contact:
or Phillip Payne, Branch Coach, Ph: 6652 3362 or mob: 0419 618 558
email: Phillip.a.p@bigpond.com

See: www.ncfrsc.com for more information.

Phillip Payne
Branch Coach
North Coast Football Referees

11th June 2008
School Holiday Coaching Clinics

McDonalds Fast Feet Super Skills
School Holiday Coaching Clinics

STRICTLY LIMITED PLACES FOR GIRLS & BOYS AGED 7-13 YEARS

Come along and participate in the North Coast Football's very successful junior development program to develop your speed & agility and learn the moves that made the great players famous while having heaps of fun.

Participants will receive:
16 hours of programmed technical development from NCF accredited coaches
the opportunity to be considered for the NCF Junior Development Program
McDonalds coaching certificate and encouragement awards
a BBQ lunch will be provided on the Thursday for all camp participants

COST: $75.00

LOCATIONS & TIMES:

WHERE	WHEN	TIME
Opal Cove Grounds, Korora	14 - 17 July 2008	9am to 1pm daily
Toormina Oval, Toormina	7 - 10 July 2008	9am to 1pm daily
Wherrett Park, Maclean	14 - 17 July 2008	9am to 1pm daily
Rushforth Park, Grafton	7 - 10 July 2008	9am to 1pm daily

Application Forms for each location are available for download below:
(to download, 'right click' on the filename & choose 'Save target as...')

FF Clinic - Korora July 08
(Microsoft Word file, 54kb)

FF Clinic - Toormina July 08
(Microsoft Word file, 55kb)

FF Clinic - Maclean July 08
(Microsoft Word file, 53kb)

FF Clinic Grafton July 08
(Microsoft Word file, 53kb)

Nominations to attend the clinics will be treated on an as received basis. Places are to be restricted, see Application Form for details. Don't delay, get your application in NOW!

NOTE: ALL APPLICATION FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH THE NORTH COAST FOOTBALL OFFICE BY THE CLOSING DATE (see form) AS LATE APPLICATIONS MAY NOT BE ACCEPTED.

PLAYERS MUST BRING ALONG THEIR OWN BALL AS BALLS WILL NOT BE SUPPLIED

FOR FURTHER DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT:
North Coast Football - Ph: 6651 2159



Bruce Wallace
Director of Coaching
North Coast Football

6th June 2008
Take That Tape - updated

TAPE BALL

A novel idea in what to do with the used electrical tape
- Instead throwing it in the bin or worse still,
leaving it lying around the ground

A young Mid North Coast Footballer, Moshe, came up with an interesting way in using his used tape.

Around 18 months ago at the start of the 2007 season, Moshe after every match and training session started to roll his tape into a ball, painstaking precise in his endeavour to maintain a 'perfectly' round ball, Moshe is generally the last out of the change rooms on game days and has to be hurried up for the drive home on training nights.

A number of Moshe's FMNC team mates have also started tape balls but none at this stage can match the precision of Moshe's.


PHOTO: Moshe and the original tape ball with team mate Josh and his tape ball.

- Many thanks to Gregg McDonald from Football Mid North Coast for passing on this novel idea.

NB: this information was originally posted on 27/5 - see below news item...



As footballers we often use electrical tape to keep our boots tight, hold shin pads in place and to support injuries. This tape is not biodegradable.

Did you know if you leave your used tape behind after a game, it becomes an issue for the environment?

The grass is cut and the tape is sliced into small pieces and then washed into the creeks and lagoons. It slowly poisons the water and can kill fish as well as birds.

So don't leave your used tape behind!

5th June 2008
Northern Champions Cup

Northern Champions Cup in Coffs Harbour this weekend

This weekend in Coffs Harbour, an ongoing question in the minds of the surrounding four football zones in northern NSW will be settled; which zone is the strongest?

The Northern Champions Cup will answer that question as the minor premiers from North Coast Football (Coffs/Clarence), Football Mid North Coast (Port Maquarie), Far North Coast Football (Lismore) and Northern Inland Football (Armidale/Tamworth) descend on Coffs Harbour for a Champions League style tournament which will leave one zone undefeated in men's and women's 1st division/Premier League.

Each of the four zones is sending its top men's team to the tournament to clash with the other zones for the honour of being crowned "Northern Champion".

In the women's draw, it's a one-off winner-takes-all clash between North Coast Football, represented by Urunga Raiders, and Lennox Head from Football Far North Coast. One match only to decide bragging rights.

The tournament kicks off with men's pool matches on Saturday afternoon when Coffs United Lions (NCF) play Macleay Valley Rangers (FMNC) at 3pm followed by Richmond Rovers (FFNC) verses North Companions (NIF) at 5pm.

The men will then put the boots away for the day and sit back to watch the women's match between Urunga and Lennox Head which will kick off at 7pm on Saturday.

On Sunday the two men's losers will play off for 3rd & 4th at 1pm with the men's final kicking off at 3pm.

As for favouritism, it really is anyone's guess. Most would have to tip Coffs United Lions to go into the tournament as favourites purely on the strength of their 2nd placing in the 2007 Champion of Champions and they are in red hot form this season, although they are not undefeated in the local league.

Richmond Rovers (FFNC) look to have continued on their merry way from last season as well & after six rounds are undefeated & are conceding less than a goal per game.

Macleay Valley Rangers are two wins, two losses and a draw and sit mid table in FMNC while North Companions (NIF) are struggling to hold it together with only one win to go with their six losses and two draws.

It appears fortuitous that Coffs United Lions and Richmond Rovers have not been drawn to play each other in the opening round.

In the women's draw, it's anyone's guess. Both Urunga Raiders and Lennox Head are undefeated this season with Lennox Head only conceding two goals in six matches and Urunga scoring at the incredible rate of six per game. So what will win it; unstoppable attack or unbreakable defence?

All the action takes place at BCU International Stadium in Coffs Harbour, one of the finest venues for football in NSW.

2008 Northern Champions Cup Draw

Saturday 7th June

3.00pm: Men's Pool Match A:
Coffs United Lions SC (NCF) v Macleay Valley Rangers (MNCF)
(FFNC & NIF Match Officials)

5.00pm: Men's Pool Match B:
Richmond Rovers FC (FFNC) v North Companions (NI)
(MNCF & NCF Match Officials)

7.00pm: Women's Final: Lennox Head FC v Urunga Raiders

Sunday 8th June

1.00pm: Men's 3rd & 4th Playoff
3.00pm: Men's Final

Terry Allen
Media Officer
North Coast Football
Email: Terry Allen

5th June 2008
Telstra Assistance Fund


Telstra is proud to be a major supporter of Australian sport. As well as acknowledging today's sporting elite, we also value the role that grassroots sporting clubs, like yours, play in our community. That's why we've decided to team up with Football Federation Australia to help give local football (soccer) clubs across the country some extra support.

Over the past five years the Telstra Assistance Fund has proudly supplied thousands of sport and community clubs with much-needed equipment. This year, we'll give away $250,000 worth of football (soccer) equipment. From nets and balls, to cones and training bibs, the fund gives your junior players what they need to become the next generation of football stars.

Applications for the Telstra Assistance Fund close on 30 June 2008.
Eligibility criteria apply.

2nd June 2008
Coaches Practical Session - update

Dutch Jogo Bonito on the Coffs Coast
"Jogo Bonito" is how the Portuguese speaking world describes the beautiful game - football. It literally means "play pretty".

Bruce Wallace, NCF Coaching & Development Manager wants the true flavour of Jogo Bonito to flow through local ranks and has begun by serving it up for local football coaches.

In fact, Bruce described last night's coaches session as the beautiful game with a hint of Dutch influence thanks to some new techniques described at a recent football coaching conference in Sydney.

Last week Bruce had the good fortune of attending the inaugural FFA coaching conference held in Sydney where he was exposed to the latest coaching methods, led by the FIFA Technical Director, Jean-Michel Benezet and Erich Rutemoller, the German Director of Coaching.

The conference provided coaches with the latest information on transitional play (ie what to do when you lose or gain possession) and breaking down the opposition in the front third from a host of Dutch national staff coaches.

Bruce also attended several keynote addresses from well known football identities including Jurgen Klinsmann, former German national team coach, World Cup Winner and soon to be Bayern Munich Coach.

Last night (Monday) Bruce shared this information in a practical demonstration session for local football coaches at Maclean St Oval in Coffs Harbour. Several talented young players were rounded up as guinea pigs and were put through their paces in a range of new drills while the coaches stood in the drizzle determined not to do any exercise at all.



Photo: Bruce Wallace shares a light hearted moment with coaches and players as the rain begins right on queue at Maclean Street on Monday night.

The drills bring the latest thinking from around the world to bear on issues such as one touch striking and methods of breaking down strong defensive formations.

Each coach attending received some hand outs describing the drills being displayed so their teams, mostly North Coast rep teams, can begin working through them at training.

For more information contact North Coast Football at:
office@northcoastfootball.com.au

Terry Allen
Media Officer
North Coast Football
Email: Terry Allen

30th May 2008
Golden Boot Competition



North Coast Football is proud to announce the reintroduction of the "Golden Boot" competition for leading goal scorer in men's 1st division.



With eight rounds played, the leading scorers are up around 10 goals for the season so far, so we felt it was a good time to start revealing the results.

Maclean Bobcats' Fraser Robinson leads the way with Coffs Lions' Ben Mackay, Boambee's Brady Parker and Maclean's Travis Armstrong in hot pursuit, so for a few weeks the lead will no doubt change hands regularly.

The Golden Boot will be run all the way through to the Grand Final with the winner revealed on that day and the $uper first prize handed over at the all clubs' end of season function.

The competition will include penalties, as most similar competitions around the world do, so later in the year, we may see a few new penalty takers as the number of remaining matches dwindles (however, goals scored in penalty shoot outs to determine the winner in a finals match will not be taken into account).

The table will be updated late in each week, after the NCF office has had time to go through them and do some arithmetic.

To view the status of the Golden Boot competition, go to the NCF Senior Football page and click on the "Golden Boot" link near the top.

Terry Allen
Media Officer
North Coast Football
Email: Terry Allen

27th May 2008
Nigel Hayes Update

We are pleased to report NCF Board member Nigel Hayes, although still suffering serious injury, is making steady recovery in Sydney.

Nigel was injured during an over 35's match last Thursday night and was flown to Royal North Shore Hospital with suspected neck injuries. Those suspicions were well founded with X-rays revealing fractures to both the C6 and C7 vertebrae.

Nigel is due to have a further check up this weekend and, if all is well, will return home to recuperate in an Aspen neck brace for up to 10 weeks which will involve some regular physiotherapy and some serious TLC.

This incident is a timely reminder of how serious football injuries can be and how important it is for all clubs to have a proper procedure in place for dealing with potentially disabling injuries. Under no circumstances should a player who has suspected neck injuries be moved until an Ambulance arrives (or a properly credentialed medical person on scene).

Even if you are not sure if a player has neck injuries, if they are knocked out or for some reason cannot coherently offer verbal information about the pain they are experiencing, they should not be moved even to put a pillow under their neck. Doing this could disable the person for life.

The only thing which must be done is a check to make sure they can breathe properly and a call put in for medical assistance.

Everyone at North Coast Football wishes Nigel a speedy recovery, hopes to see him playing again soon if possible and looks forward to his ongoing contribution at Board level in the near future.

Terry Allen
Media Officer
North Coast Football
Email: Terry Allen

27th May 2008
Back in green and gold

Article by Brad Greenshields courtesy of: www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au

Twelve months of gruelling recovery work has paid off for the Coffs Coast's brightest football star, Jenna Tristram.

On Friday night, the 21-year-old was back in the green and gold colours of Australia after spending nearly a year on the sidelines recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament tear in her knee.

It was April last year when Tristram injured her knee during a routine practice session for the Matildas at Pacific Bay Resort. The injury quickly brought one of the Coffs Coast's most well-known sporting identities down from a large high as she'd made her national team debut only three days earlier.

All the pain and hard work over the past year was worth it though as Tristram once again experienced the thrill of playing for her country on Friday night when she came on as a substitute in the 65th minute of the Matildas' match against Canada at the Sydney Football Stadium. With Australia holding a 2-1 lead at the time, Tristram came on to the field as a replacement for in-form striker Caitlin Munoz.

She didn't manage to get on the scoresheet but her enthusiasm and the pressure she placed on the Canadian defenders helped the national team to maintain their one-goal advantage over the last half an hour.

Yesterday Tristram and her teammates departed for Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to tackle the best that Asia has to offer in the AFC Women's Asian Cup. Australia will open their campaign against Chinese Taipei on Thursday followed by difficult pool matches against Korea Republic and Japan. The final will be played on June 8.

Once the Asian Cup matches are over, Tristram will then be off to Korea where Australia will be competing in the 2008 Peace Cup.

Article by Brad Greenshields courtesy of: www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au

23rd May 2008
Nigel Hayes and family

The Board and Management of North Coast Football extend their best wishes to Board member Nigel Hayes and family as he recovers in Sydney after a collision on the field during an Over 35's match last night (Thursday).

Nigel was playing in goal for Northern Storm and came out to block a shot at which point he collided with another player.

It seems Nigel was hit in the head by a player's leg (shin we think) at which point he was knocked unconscious. Upon examination, Nigel was found to have some neck injuries and was flown to Sydney after the match with suspected vertebrae damage.

At this stage, no other details are known. We will provide an update on his condition when further information is available.

Terry Allen
Media Officer
North Coast Football
Email: Terry Allen

16th May 2008
Competition Rules By-law 7 Update

Please be aware that after recommendations from The Senior Standing Committee, the NCFZ Management Committee at their Board meeting on 15/05/08 amended 'Competition rules By-law 7' (Rule A30.1.2) to read as follows: (Changes in red)

----------------------------------

A 30.1.2 Senior eligibility for second, third and fourth divisions
"In the event of a bye or forfeit in first grade men's and women's divisions, the 11 named starting players from the previous played first grade fixture are deemed ineligible for second grade on the day the bye occurs." A competition point's fine may also apply to this if a breach is detected.

In the event of a bye or forfeit any player named on the 1st and 2nd division and the starting eleven on the 3rd div match cards from the previous weeks fixture is deemed ineligible to play in the 4th division. A competition point's fine may also apply to this if a breach is detected.

-----------------------------------

These By-laws are available to be downloaded from the NCFZ web site at:
RULES, BY-LAWS & REGULATIONS

NCFZ management recommend that all clubs have a hard copy available at their canteens. Please note that all changes will be displayed in red for the remainder of the season.

Bob Harris
Manager
North Coast Football

15th May 2008
Andy Harper speaks passionately about Small Sided Games

Football commentator, Nerds FC Coach, retired NSL player and Football Federation Australia (FFA) ambassador. Andy Harper can be introduced in many different ways, but there is no doubt his passion is the world game and if last night is anything to go by, it's at the grass roots where he believes the future of the game lies in Australia.

Mr Harper was in Woolgoolga last night for a one off meeting with local administrators, coaches, players and parents to promote the FFA's recently introduced overhaul of the way junior football is played in this country.


Photo: Andy Harper speaking at the SSG Implementation Review Meeting held in Woolgoolga on Wed 14th May 2008 - photo courtesy of Terry Allen

It is known as 'Small Sided Games' (SSG) and is long established in the football powerhouses of Europe and South America where kids have grown up kicking the ball around in small streets and back alleys.

As Bobby Charlton famously said; "The World Cup (1966) wasn't won on the playing fields of England. It was won on the streets."

This upbringing has produced generations of world class players but Australia has lagged behind because of our love of wide open spaces.

Unfortunately these wide open spaces have developed too many sub-standard footballers because while Aussie kids learnt to run flat out just to kick the ball a few times per game, their counterparts around the world were dribbling the ball almost non-stop within confined spaces.

Mr Harper spoke passionately to the crowd of about 70 at Woolgoolga Bowling Club of the need for all football zones across the country to embrace the SSG concept, reminding them that SSG's are the result of an overhaul of football across the country which began with the Crawford Report, then Australia's placement into Asia, the commencement of the A-League and the national men's team's qualification into the 2006 World Cup finals.

Mr Harper likened football in Australia to a coal-fuelled power station which has the capacity to pump out enormous amounts of energy, while our juniors are like individual pieces of coal. All the pieces and infrastructure need to work together for the total system to work. That is, to produce a winning team at the 2018 World Cup, our juniors must be coached correctly now.

The crowd nodded in agreement as Mr Harper asked what parent in their right mind would pay for a 40 minute tennis lesson in which their son or daughter never hit the ball once, yet this is what big field football has been delivering for our juniors in Australia.

There was also the stark reminder of the many sports stars Australia has produced in other codes who began as juniors in football. Players like Adam Goodes (AFL) and Andrew Johns (Rugby League).

When Mr Harper had finished speaking, he and Northern NSW Community Football Manager, Peter Haynes, took several questions from the floor. It was a frank and honest discussion of both the joys and frustrations of implementing SSG's. The joy is always in the faces of the children who will be happy wherever they play, but many expressed frustration at trying to learn a new format with so few volunteers, a problem every club in the land can identify with.

Peter Haynes spoke briefly about the support and infrastructure being offered by NNSW which includes pop-up goals, training bibs, markers and administrative help saying the SSG format was a core value held by NNSW and it was committed to seeing it successfully rolled out.


Photo: From left to right: Andy Harper & Peter Haynes with NCF Board members Chris Eddy, Fran Short, Ron Garvin, Nigel Hayes & Alex Morrison - photo courtesy of Terry Allen

The evening ended with the obligatory tea, coffee & sandwiches, but the work is far from over. There was a general feeling that the next ground to be taken was in our schools who, as a whole, have not altered the age old practice of running little kids on big fields.

But we'll save that one for another day.

Terry Allen
Media Officer
North Coast Football
Email: Terry Allen

13th May 2008
Remember... it's playtime!

Article courtesy of: www.footy4kids.co.uk/remember_its_playtime.htm
By Mike Woitalla, Soccer America Magazine.

Taking the drilling and screaming out of youth football (soccer) will make the game more enjoyable and create better players.

Let's take the approach so many adults bring to youth soccer to other children's activities.

Take a bunch of 6-year-olds to the playground, but don't let them scamper off to explore the different structures. Make them all line up and wait patiently to take turns on the monkey bars. If one of them wanders off toward the swings, scream at him.

Be sure to tell them exactly how they should climb. Yell at the slow ones to go faster. While they're hanging from a bar, shout at them to ''grab the next bar!''

At the sandbox, don't just let them start digging around willy-nilly. No building mounds or castles until we teach them the proper way to hold the shovel. Line them up for the shovel drill and don't forget to yell, ''Dig, dig, dig!''

After 50 minutes of instructions on the various aspects of proper playground usage, give the kids 10 minutes to play.

Sounds ludicrous, doesn't it? So do these scenarios, but they're real and all too common:

A 9-year-old dribbles downfield and comes to a screeching halt because his coach doesn't let defenders past the halfway line.

In an 8 v 8 game of 7-year-olds, two players on each team are forced by their coach to remain planted in front of their own goal. Wouldn't want to be vulnerable to a counterattack, would we?

A 6-year-old girl who started playing soccer a couple weeks earlier dribbles the ball toward the goal while her coach moves along the sideline screaming, ''Kick it into the goal! Kick it hard! Kick it into the goal! Kick it hard!''

And I'm wondering what it would be like to have someone four times as big as I am hollering at me while I try to perform a skill that is barely within my capabilities.

One of my favourites is the ''Spread out!'' scream. I hear this from coaches, directed at 6-year-olds. Apparently they haven't noticed that these kids can barely kick the ball more than five yards, so it's a bit unlikely that they'll be able to exploit the flanks and whip in a cross.

Perhaps the most puzzling aspect of youth soccer is the insistence on making young players do drills instead of just letting them play small-sided games, the way Pele, Diego Maradona and Ronaldo did when they were young.

In America, children start playing organized soccer three or four years before those guys did. That's the way it is, because in today's world they usually can't just go outside and play pickup soccer for hours on end. But that doesn't mean they should have to show up at a practice and be instructed as if they haven't left the classroom.

Besides the fact that, after obeying adults all day at school while planted in a chair, children deserve and need playtime without overbearing adult interference, children learn soccer from playing and mimicking others, not from instructions.

The Brazilian and Argentine players who delight us so much developed their skills playing without adults looking over their shoulders stifling their creative impulses and critiquing their ''mistakes.''

Said Juergen Klinsmann recently about the decline of German talent: ''Today all the youth soccer is played in organized tournaments, we don't have kids playing in the streets any more. But it's in street soccer where the real talent appears.''

So it would make sense for coaches to replicate the kind of soccer the Ronaldinhos of the world played when they were under 10. But there are youth coaches - lots and lots, I fear - who feel they're being generous if they devote a third of their practice to scrimmaging. I imagine a 6-year-old Maradona would have quit the sport if his introduction to it entailed doing the drills we make our kids do instead of letting him run around trying to score.

Of all the hundreds of successful American and international players I have interviewed or researched, they have had in common the fact that they played soccer as much as they could outside of their organized leagues - in their backyard, in their house, at the local park. They did so because they had fallen in love with the game.

The chances that children will develop a passion for the game are much greater if they have a good time playing it. And I can't imagine anyone with a soccer background will disagree that the most fun part of soccer is playing a game, with goals to score on.

And when children play mini-games they should be allowed to play as they please - explore the game and not be talked to constantly by the coach.
Above all, young children shouldn't be discouraged from dribbling.

Expecting an under-8 team to develop a passing game is like forcing little kids to figure out Rubik's Cube instead of letting them play with Legos.

Young kids can comprehend the concept of dribbling and they like to do it.
So they should be encouraged. After all, a look at higher levels of the game reveals what a precious skill dribbling is. We have far more good passers than good dribblers. Moreover, dribbling develops ball skills that will help players become good passers.

Fortunately, the U.S. Soccer Federation is trying to send the message to youth coaches that ''the game is the best teacher,'' a favorite phrase of Manfred Schellscheidt, who contributed to U.S. Soccer's 'Player Development Guidelines: Best Practices for Coaching Soccer in the United States.'

Schellscheidt, the head of U.S. Soccer's U-14 boys development program, has won national titles at the pro, amateur and youth levels. Richie Williams, who played on Schellscheidt's two McGuire Cup-winning teams before winning college and MLS titles, described Schellscheidt's practices: ''Our training sessions were basically just playing.''

A key part of ''Guidelines'' are recommendations for team sizes and goalkeeper-use at particular levels, and which rules to apply or not apply - for example, 3 v 3 games without keepers for children under-8.

''Guidelines'' encourages coaches to create practice sessions that simulate pickup games, to organize less, to say less, to allow players to do more, to encourage the dribbler ...

One hopes that ''Guidelines'' will have an impact on the well-intentioned adults who run our youth leagues but sometimes forget that soccer for young children is playtime.

(This article originally appeared in the February 2006 issue of Soccer America Magazine.) Copyright © 2007 -- Mike Woitalla



David Smith
Football Manager
Northern NSW Football

9th May 2008
NNSWF Girls Train On Squads

NCF has a number of female players selected into the Northern NSW representative and development squads following the recent camps held in Armidale.

NCF Coaching & Development Manager, Bruce Wallace is pleased with the number of local girls gaining selection as it is testimony to the level of work being undertaken by the girls and the level of quality coaching being delivered by the NCF coaching staff.

Wallace said that he was particularly happy with the number of younger girls selected into the U14 development squad as it augers well for the future. "

These selections are a result of the commitment and desire of the girls and a verification of the level of coaching being delivered by the local coaching staff. The girls now have the challenge to confirm their selections into the final squads over the coming weeks by continuing to apply themselves in readiness for the upcoming camps," Wallace added.

Finalisation of the boys squads should be made within the next week.

Squads & Selections:
(NCF players highlighted in yellow)

GIRLS UNDER 17 STATE TEAM TRAIN ON SQUAD


GIRLS UNDER 15 STATE TEAM TRAIN ON SQUAD


GIRLS UNDER 14 NORTHERN REGION DEVELOPMENT SQUAD


GIRLS UNDER 14 HUNTER REGION DEVELOPMENT SQUAD




David Smith
Football Manager
Northern NSW Football

8th May 2008
NCF referees join NSW elite

Two North Coast Football (NCF) referees have been given the opportunity to step up to the next level in NSW with selection as officials in the State Youth League (SYL).

Brad Jack and Scott Anderson (age 19 and 21) have both been appointed to games in the SYL at Newcastle this weekend. The pair, who both study at University, will leave their regular posts as whistle blowers in the NCF 1st division for the competition which pits the best representative teams across the State against each other.

Brad Jack, who refereed last year's Men's Premier League Grand Final (now called '1st division') began refereeing in the Far North Coast competition aged just 13. At 15 he was voted best young referee in the region and received the same accolade as a result of his first season officiating in the NCFZ.

Brad was also invited to referee in the Brisbane Mens Summer League (BMSL) Competition and Brisbane Womens Summer League (BWSL) Competition from 2004 onwards. In 2005, he officiated the BWSL grand final.

Scott began refereeing in 2000 as a 13 year old and worked through the ranks until he was given his first senior game as centre referee at just 18. He has earned the respect of players and officials alike with the way he has handled his responsibilities including last year's Premier League reserve grand Grand Final.

Scott is now one of the regular young referees in the NCF 1st division and quite often handles big games such as last Saturday night's clash between Coffs United Lions and Maclean Bobcats.

Terry Allen
Media Officer
North Coast Football
Email: Terry Allen

5th May 2008
New online course for officials



The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) is pleased to announce that the online Introductory Level Officiating General Principles course is now available on the ASC Learning Portal at https://learning.ausport.gov.au

The course is aimed at beginner level officials, and covers three modules of training;
:: Self Management
:: Managing the Competition Environment
:: People Management.

The course takes approximately four hours to complete, and there is assessment included within the course.

The online course is available free of charge to Australian officials.



Bruce Wallace
Director of Coaching
North Coast Football

1st May 2008
Score a Free Football

NEW OFFER: you now only need to collect 5 barcodes to receive a free Mitre ball




For more details, visit: www.tiptopcoaching.com.au

30th April 2008
SSG Implementation Review Meeting

North Coast Football is thrilled to announce that the highly respected football host and commentator, Mr Andy Harper, will be attending a meeting to discuss any concerns you may have in relation to the SSG implementation throughout the North Coast Football Zone.

Mr Harper will be representing Football Federation Australia and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in relation to the benefits that SSG have on young children.

North Coast Football would like to invite your club members (committee, SSG coordinator, coaches, players & parents) to review the implementation of Small Sided Games at a meeting to be held at:

Woolgoolga Bowling Club
Wednesday 14 May
Commencing 7pm

Your concerns are our concerns. North Coast Football will endeavour to provide all attendees with the opportunity to raise their concerns in this forum in order that we can address them.

Should you be unable to attend the evening or wish to raise your concerns prior to the meeting, NCF would like to hear from you. Please address any concerns that you have to admin@northcoastfootball.com.au with the subject heading: 'SSG Implementation Review'.

We look forward to your attendance.



Bruce Wallace
Director of Coaching
North Coast Football

29th April 2008
Missing the point on SSG

Report courtesy of Andy Jackson www.fourfourtwo.com

I've seen a couple of negative stories surface in the last week or so on the introduction of Small Sided Games this season but having read them I think their missing the point of their introduction. The introduction of SSG is not about the parents... it's about the kids... it's not about how many medals they have as a 6 year old it's about how many touches of the ball they get each weekend. And as for the one article I read where someone said that playing on a big pitch at a young age taught them valuable life lessons about disappointment... that it was good for someone to be bored in goal... purlease... isn't that your job as a parent? Can't you at least wait for them to hit their teenage years so they can experience genuine feelings of isolation and despair for the first time!

I fail to see how kids watching the biggest and strongest amongst them dominate week in week out is good for the game unless you are the selfish parents of the biggest kid on the block. Make no mistake football is about being an athlete but it should be about being a footballer first and for me this is what SSG teaches the kids... that with good ball control, awareness, technique and game intelligence in tight spaces you can take the 'hoofers' out of play. Being the strongest and fastest is not enough anymore on a smaller field... size is much less of an advantage unless it's coupled with technique. Have any of them seen players like Messi play?

At my club, Georges River, we run 68 teams at all levels but the majority are at the junior age groups... last Saturday we had 5 SSG pitches running simultaneously on an oval that can only house two full size pitches... games were still being played on one of the full size pitches as well maximising all the space available. As far as I could see the kids loved it... more involvement... more touches... more goals... more goalscorers... I'd rather my 6 year old felt the joy of hitting the back of the net even with or without a keeper than the despair of not touching the ball for 20 minutes and potentially going a whole season without scoring. In my view at this age football should be as positive an experience as possible... there's plenty of time for them to learn the harsh realities of life on and off a football pitch in their later years.

The kids I watched know when they have come off the pitch whether they won or lost... of course they keep score when playing... of course it's competitive during the game and of course they don't want to lose... all healthy traits to develop at any age... and of course they know whether they played better or worse than they are capable of... but they don't need a league table to remind them all week. It doesn't matter.

As a kid growing up in England playing in the playground or in the street there were no league tables... just the score at the end of that lunch break or when your mom called you in for your dinner... it might have been 15 minutes... it might have been 3 hours... there were no draws... most games ending with the infamous "next goal's the winner" shout... we knew who'd won and lost, who played well and who didn't but next game was a clean slate... 0-0... let's play... there was certainly no end of season award presentation because the season never ended... it was always about the next chance we were going to get to play.

I'd ask all parents to ask themselves who's really more disappointed by the lack of a Grand Final and medals at the end of the season... their kids or themselves? And if come August your child has had a phenomenal season and deserves a medal... there's nothing to stop you buying them one yourself. It will almost certainly mean just as much to them... who knows... maybe more.


Report courtesy of Andy Jackson www.fourfourtwo.com

24th April 2008
Child Protection Seminar

CHILD PROTECTION SEMINAR (FREE)

NSW Sport & Recreation child protection information seminars will help your sport to understand the importance of keeping children safe during their involvement in sport. As a provider of sport and recreation activities, our seminars will assist you to understand your responsibilities under the Commission for Children and Young People Act 1998.

The seminar will cover: Why the legislation is needed, how does it affect your sport, what do I need to do as an individual or a representative of a sport and recreation organisation, how the Department can assist, and where to from here.

Course:
:: Date: 27 May 2008
:: Time: 6.30pm - 8.30pm
:: Venue: Coffs Harbour Catholic Club, 61A West High Street
:: Cost: FREE

Click below link for more details, incl: 'how to enrol' form:
www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/training/detail.asp?course=1389

23rd April 2008
Season Draw Adjustments

ATTN PARENTS AND SUPPORTERS:

Can you please check the draw regularly as there are some minor changes being done over the next two weeks.

This is due to clubs withdrawing teams and some junior grading issues.

Click following link for draw: Season Draw/Results

Bob Harris
Manager
North Coast Football

19th April 2008
Referees Course

Are you a Parent or Manager ?
OR
A player (min 14 years of age) and would like to be a referee?

We will be running a new referees course on:

Sun 4 May - laws of the game
Sun 11 May - how to be a referee

South Grafton Services Club - 10am start

* ALSO Sunday 4th May
Coffs Hbr Community Centre, 9:00AM-4:00PM

Course cost is $40 - includes law chart, work books and lesson manuals.

Bookings are essential

For more details, please contact:
David Anderson Ph: 6643 4837 or mob: 0411 128 612
email: robndave@aapt.net.au
or Phillip Payne, Branch Coach, mob: 0419 618 558

See: www.ncfrsc.com for more information.

David Anderson
Secretary
North Coast Football Referees

18th April 2008
Young Referees selected for Elite Training

Five junior referees from the North Coast Football Zone have been accepted into an exclusive training program which equips young referees (aged 16-24) with the knowledge and skill to become top rank whistle blowers.

The five are; Mitchell Jones (Grafton), Simon Ellis (Sapphire), Amanda Riley (Central Bucca), Alec Jones (Coffs Harbour) and Lee Miles-Ward (Nambucca Heads).

Each was nominated by the local Referees Standing Committee and now pack their bags for UNE Armidale on Monday for four days of intensive training and scrutiny.

The Referees' Development Camp has become an annual fixture and is held in conjunction with a similar camp for emerging players. The young referees will spend some of the time controlling games the players are involved in at the camp.

The Referees' Development Camp will also be used for the selection of Northern NSW referees to officiate at the National Titles in Coffs Harbour in July and October.

Last Wednesday night, the NCF board agreed to fully pay for each of the five local referees to attend the camp which, at $300 per head, means an outlay of $1500. A small price to pay for the development of local referees.

Terry Allen
Media Officer
North Coast Football
Email: Terry Allen

15th April 2008
Coffs United wins Tony Barselaar Memorial Shield

The Coffs United Club has defeated the Woolgoolga Club in a head to head match up of teams on Saturday at Woolgoolga in the Tony Barselaar Memorial Shield. In one sense it was a narrow victory with Coffs winning 4 games to 3 out of the seven played, but when Coffs Lions won the men's 1st division 7-nil, all of a sudden the competition didn't look so close.

The Shield was supposed to commence on Friday night with the over 35's teams set to do battle at BCU International Stadium, however the Stadium was closed from the Thursday and didn't reopen in time for kick off leaving the Shield contest one game short.

But that wasn't the only snag in the tournament with the women's 1st division match being abandoned with 20 minutes left and Coffs leading by three goals to two, but more of that in a minute.

Woolgoolga took an early lead with a 4-1 win in the 17 years girls who kicked off at 8.30am and when the Woolgoolga 12 years boys beat their Coffs rivals 3-2, Woopi had jumped to a two games to nil lead, but the home team knew the longer the day wore on, the tougher the games would get.


The Lions hit back in the 15 years boys with a resounding 4-nil win leaving the head to head score 2-1 with the juniors finished and the seniors about to take to the field.

The women's 2nd division kicked off at 1pm and went entirely to the home team. It was 5-nil at full time and Woopi led 3-1 overall. But that's where it ended for the team in blue. From here on, the Lions roared.

At 3pm both the women's 1st division and men's 2nd division games kicked off. The men's match was a close fought affair with the young Wolves tearing into their more highly fancied rivals with precision and aggression. The Lions narrowly won it one-nil.

The women's 1st division match was a classic clash and got to 2-3 with 20 minutes to go when one of the Lions' players fell awkwardly, hurting her neck. Woolgoolga kicked the ball out while the injury was attended to.

Eventually it was decided to call an ambulance and that's when the referee abandoned the match with the Lions in front by one goal.

Good enough for the Shield, but the Senior Standing Committee must now discuss the prospect awarding the points or replaying the match.


So, with the head to head aggregate standing at 3 apiece, the men's 1st division teams kicked off at 5pm in surprisingly warm conditions and it got even hotter for Woolgoolga. After 90 minutes the score sheet read Woolgoolga 0 - Coffs United 7.

Son of the late Tony, John Barselaar, was on hand to present Ben Mackay, Coffs United Lions Captain, with the Tony Barselaar Memorial Shield.

The participating clubs, their players, officials and supporters, adjourned to the Seaview Tavern to celebrate a successful day. Both clubs would like to thank everyone who contributed to a special day in memory of a man who played such an important role in their early development.

Terry Allen
Media Officer
North Coast Football
Email: Terry Allen

10th April 2008
Tony Barselaar Memorial Shield