FC Dallas Clinic Hit with Local Association

In appreciation of our sponsorship of the FC Dallas machine here in North Texas, our association was treated to a clinic, free to participants, by 6 of the FC Dallas crew/players. Our association and players love the attention, the opportunity to speak and interact with real soccer professionals. FC Dallas ticket sales loves the PR and at a cost of the gas and time to shuttle the players over it's worth it. Seeing all of the FC Dallas gear that was proudly worn by our KSA players, it seems as though the relationship is mutually beneficial.

What many in the association do not know, however, is the relationship is not free. When it's advertised as a free clinic, that's partially true. It does not cost the participants anything to register and participate on that day. But the association is burdened by a sponsorship cost which ultimately comes from the player registration fees since the association is a non-profit organization. Along with a bi-annual clinic, which is mostly a PR tactic, the association is blessed with pretty decent tickets to home games which are used to reward association loyals and those that contribute directly to the success of the association.

When I titled this entry as the clinic being a "Hit," it is a double entendre: it is a hit in that it is a success with the locals but it's also a financial hit, or debit, in the association's budget. Worth it? Definitely.

All four of my kids participated and loved the event. When asked how much they learned, none of them could reply that anything was learned. But when followed up with the question of whether it was fun and worth it, the response was unanimous in the affirmative.

Well done FC Dallas!

Hanson Teams: No Swimming Before Matches

Please note Hanson teams: Absolutely no swimming before our matches regardless of our win/loss records.

"A Zimbabwean soccer player drowned in a crocodile infested river during a ritual to cleanse his team of bad spirits before a match", a state newspaper reported on Tuesday. First mistake may have been the location as the river has a strong current and the next that there are plenty of crocodiles and hippos in this location. Next is it's by Victoria Falls; duh!

Anyway, my soccer players are hereby banned from swimming prior to the games. Please take action if necessary ;)

Poor Ref'ing to Our Advantage

Last night our U9 boys played a 6pm game against a fellow board member's team. The importance of who we played against is being critical of the ref while maintaining control of our own composure and sidelines was within our duties of being on the board. Let's just say the level of judgment the referee displayed in the match was less than adequate and our referee director will be receiving a note.

The advantage in this came when one call of handling the ball, which results in a direct free kick, was called. From my view I could not tell whether it was in our out of the opposition's penalty area but the hand came up signaling direct and my son placed the ball amid the confusion, stepped back and shot the ball up and over and into the back of the net. The goal counted.

Now, whether the referee confused the situation and awarded our team a direct free kick outside the penalty area or should have delayed and set up a PK is irrelevant to this portion of the post. What I was pleased with was how quickly and intelligently my son placed a quick kick to our advantage. The confusion likely contributed to his success but I found his thinking logical and timely.

Way to go J!

First Time Ref: Son to Assist

I'm pretty excited to start a new chapter in my soccer career this weekend. Since I certified with my son as Grade 9 referees back in Aug. I just haven't had the opportunity to put my cert. into action (schedule is just too busy). But this Sat. all of that will change. Not only do I get to referee, I get to center referee with my son as an assistant or AR. I'm a little nervous as making my debut where the parents and coaches are considerably more vocal in their dissent can be daunting. That being said, I believe I'm prepared to handle it. Should be fun. I'm also excited to have this experience with my son whom I absolutely adore and love. Wish us luck.