From the Editor

Finals football this month! I can hardly believe it’s that time of year already.

Our preparations for the Grand Finals are underway and we’re starting to get excited here in the office about what we’ve got planned.

There’s a lot to read in this issue of Offside, including the all-important Finals Series Protocol so you know what to expect.

Best of luck to everyone hoping to make a spot in the Finals. Look forward to seeing everyone at the Grand Finals!

- Gregory Calacouris

ESFA 2013 Finals Series Protocol

The 2013 ESFA Finals Series commences this month and this is your need-to-know guide covering everything through to the Grand Finals.

Congratulations and best of luck to all teams that make the 2013 Finals Series. We expect that everyone plays in the spirit of the game and we wish everyone the best of luck.

The Protocol There are some important rules  from last year including:

• Changes to the format of Extra Time for Senior finals
• Player cards will be checked at all Finals matches
• Code of Conduct for Players, Coaches and Spectators

Click to read here

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SSF Gala Day this weekend

The next Small Sided Football Gala Day for Under 6s and Under 7s will be held this Saturday, 3 August 2013.

The Gala Day will be held by Coogee United at Snape Park and Maroubra United at Coral Sea Park. ESFA would like to thank both Clubs for their assistance with the running of the day.

The draw for the SSF Gala Day is available by clicking here.

Plenty to see and do at the Grand Finals

In addition to the showpiece football on display, there will be plenty to see and do at the 2013 Grand Finals thanks to our Principal Partner, Jazzright Production Services.

We have got a number of food stalls and activities lined up for kids and adults of all ages across both Grand Final weekends.

Whether you’re competing in the Grand Finals or just enjoy watching football, we invite you to bring along your whole family and friends.

Mark the dates in your diary, the 2013 Grand Finals will be held across two weekends:

• 24th & 25th August
• 31st August & 1st September

Best of luck to every team looking to play in the finals and we look forward to seeing you there.

C-Licence Coaching Courses Available

A number of C Licence coaching courses will be held across Sydney starting from September.

The C Licence is an advanced coaching course designed to develop the fundamentals of coaching methodology. The course is for those existing qualified coaches who would like to progress to the next level in their education.

The Youth and Senior C Licence courses cover more advanced coaching methodologies, including how to plan, prepare and conduct coaching practices and includes both a theoretical and practical assessment.

Click to find out more

Dream run in State Cup ends

The dream run for Easts G14s and Queens Park AAW1 in the State Cup came to end during last month's  semi final matches.

Both sides played high quality football but narrowly lost out to equally challenging opposition. The result means ends the run of ESFA teams in the 2013 competition.

Canberra calls Sparkes into action

Ned Sparkes left the ESFA Referees Branch at the end of the 2012 season to work for the United Nations as peacekeeper in the Middle East, but that hasn’t stopped him from continuing his love for refereeing.

Returning to Australia for a holiday during the first week of July, Sparkes put on his ESFA referee uniform and officiated as a guest referee in Canberra. The 2012 Referee of the Year Award recipient braved the cooler temperatures to officiate a local Division 3 match in Canberra.

Click to continue reading