From the Editor

Two months into the season the league tables are starting to take shape and people are starting to keep an eye on the finals.

A lot happening on the park and it will be business as usual, whilst we’ve had a few internal office changes.

Our SAP team were lucky to have Craig Foster run a special coaching session. For the older kids (and the adults too) there’s been a bunch of action in the Waratah Cup and State Cups.

Whether you’re playing in the State Cup or just local football this weekend, good luck!

- Gregory Calacouris

Craig Foster runs guest coaching session with ESFA SAP

Craig Foster was a special guest coach for the ESFA Skills Acquisition Program last month.

The rising stars, aged 10 and 11, experienced a specialised training session that focused on technique and game understanding. The exercises developed the player’s control and passing and instilled game concepts that will remain with them for their entire playing lives.

Foster, a former Socceroo and currently SBS Chief Football Analyst, is studying for his FFA Advanced A License and conducting sessions for various ages across both the men’s and women’s game at Queen’s Park, ESFA, FNSW Institute teams and the Koala’s Women’s Premier League team.

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Message from the President: Restructuring of ESFA office

As you would be aware, our Competitions Manager Andrew Fathers finished up on Friday.

We undertook a recruitment process to seek a replacement and received a number of applications, from which we interviewed five.

Having reviewed our options, it has been decided that rather than immediately employing another person, Aaron Dibdin will assume responsibility for the competition management role.

Importantly, as you would understand at this stage of the season there is not as much responsibility as in the earlier part of the season. We will most likely engage additional part time assistance to help with specifically identified tasks.

This move will not impact the roles of other ESFA staff.

Towards the end of the season we will review how this is working, with a view to making decisions on a longer term basis consistent with our business model.

We thank you for your continued support and look forward to a positive conclusion to the season.

Raff Del Vecchio

Re-grading of Junior Boys and Girls Competitions

The Junior Boys and Junior Girls Council met last month with the key topic being the possible regrading of a number of divisions.

The Junior Girls competitions will see a small number of teams moved between divisions whilst the Junior Boys competitions have more significant changes, with the size of several divisions adjusted.

Re-grading has been conducted by ESFA for several years with the aim to allow teams the opportunity to compete in even more competitions, where possible. However we understand that the process is never perfect and unfortunately someone must come last.

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Competition Updates

Wet weather reschedules
We would like to remind Clubs that they should already be in the process of arranging reschedules for their teams, following a number of washouts last weekend.

Junior Football ID Sheets
We remind everyone that for JUNIOR teams, Player ID Sheets will be acceptable evidence of registration. Clubs can generate these sheets from My Football Club.

This is still a backup option and ID cards remain the preferred method. All teams must still adhere to the ‘no card, no play’ rule.

Weekly Updates
We post a weekly Competition Update every Wednesday on our website with bite-sized information to keep you informed ahead of your match each week.

Read the latest update here

State Cup Round-Up

The 2013 Football NSW State Cup kicked off last month, with 23 teams from ESFA who are participating.

Round 1
Whilst nearly half of our teams had a first round bye, it was a disappointing set of results as only two competing teams earning victories.

Round 2
The second round was filled with high-scoring matches, as seven ESFA teams earned well-deserved victories.

Round 3
The third round commences tomorrow. Check back on the ESFA website on Monday for a round-up of the results.

Waratah Cup Round-up

In last month's Offside we had Maroubra United and Dunbar Rovers through to Round 4 of the Waratah Cup, facing tough oppositions.

Round 4
A gallant display saw Dunbar Rovers bow out of the Waratah Cup 2-1 to Northern Tigers. A late goal for Dunbar made their opposition sweat right until the final minute.

Meanwhile, Maroubra United faced APIA Leichhardt Tigers. Maroubra punched well above their local association weight, displaying a tremendous performance as they lost 4-0 to the Football NSW Premier League side.

Congratulations to both Maroubra United and Dunbar Rovers for progressing so far into the State-wide FA Cup style tournament. 

Photo Credit: FNSW

State Cup Match Highlight: Spirited victory for Easts G14

The Easts G14 side put on an energetic performance to defeat Bulli Juniors in the second round State Cup match that went all the way to a penalty shootout.

Easts goalkeeper, Annie Boyd, was the hero of the penalty shootout, as she stopped four shots with a spectacular performance. A shot narrowly wide and one off the crossbar by Easts made for a nervous climax to the match but Constance B and Issy K slotted home their kicks to seal off the penalty shootout 2-1.

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OVER 500 PARTICIPANTS AT OUR FIRST 2013 GALA DAY

Our youngest players enjoyed their first Small Sided Football Gala Day for 2013 last month.

Over 500 kids from our under 6s and 7s teams got the opportunity to participate in the event that was hosted at both Coral Sea Park and Queens Park.

The Gala Day event is held three times a year, to bring all the teams from all our SSF Program together. It gives the chance for the players to meet new faces on the park and play with friends from different Clubs.

The next Small Sided Football Gala Day will be held on Saturday, 22 June 2013 and we are eagerly looking forward to it!