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-Gained insight from Eugene about being the Elite coach and being the go-to person for elite referees like Allyson, Ben, Chris and Jared etc.
-In-depth discussion about choices and balancing life as a non-FT referee

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-Talked about the things we learned, particularly that we are always learning through experiences, mistakes and feedback.
-Spoke about choices.sacrifices and choices made to pursue elite refereeing.

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-Covered range of topics, including social media and personal life, how decisions have impacted personal life.
-Thinking about how decisions now will impact referee career in future years.
-Began talking about self-assessments and how its important to have non-football time to relax and switch off, refresh and re-energise.

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-Not enough time in Q&A, so decided to pepper him with more Qs.
-Asking him how he prepares for matches with various issues...cultural or language differences

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-Brendan: What sacrifices have you made to reach the heights you have as a referee?
-Ben: The buzz is huge to hit a WC, but lots of hard work and sacrifices. Spoke about some of those last night. Have to referee i all conditions - no one else can do the hard work for you. 25 seasons as a ref has included lots of time away from home. In 2 years leading up to WC had 400 days away from home with wife and young child. Takes money...had to take 6 months of Leave without pay to prepare for WC. Probably cost $150k+ to get to the WC in lost income from time off for LWOP. Have missed birthdays, weddings, family events - all in pursuit of the dream. Don't make sacrifices, make choices.
-Chris: Definitely more about choices (ctrl+c from Ben's). Have to make choices to travel, living in Brisbane with Ref HQ in Canberra. Away for about 4-5 months of the year with travel, training, international matches and domestic matches. Have missed all sorts of family and friends events. Work hard to make up for them when at home.
-Jared: Agree its about choices. Made choice at age 19 to follow referee. Has cost friends, has cost relationships, but wouldn't change it as chose to do it and chase the dream. All choices made, at some level, to further refereeing career. Choices affect family ; post 2005 grand final was difficult for Jared and his partner. Very few people in life who genuinely closely care. The ones throwing rubbish at you are not worth worrying about. The list of really close friends grows smaller as progress higher and higher through the refereeing career. Social media has made things worse. But they don't matter. They don't care about YOU the person, just what you did on the field. Be SUPER careful about social media. As move through the ranks, social media can impact your career.
Ben:-Whose opinions do you value? When things go south, who sticks with you? They matter. For the analytical stuff, talk to coaches and mentors.

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-Aulia: 'As a female, how do you deal with abuse etc in the male game?"
-Allyson: Not really a gender issue, the abuse is terrible for male referees as well. Why should I let the opinions of others influence my game? I use it as a "I can show them" motivator. Have a support network around you to help you debrief and cope.
-Eugene:Opportunities for female referees have NEVER been as good as they are at the moment. FFA policies stipulate that the best opportunities will go to the best officials irrespective of gender. Goal is to have FT referees for both HAL and W-League.

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-Brandon: Who is the best player you've refereed?
-Allyson:
-Jared: Del Piero and Ronaldo. Raheem Stirling's first match for Manchester friendly at the MCG, was the most expensive transfer in English history at that point.
-Chris: Refereed The Netherlands in China, with Van Persie at the top of his game.
-Ben: Spain at the Olympics at Old Trafford: Juan Mata, Jordia Alba,David DeGea...about 240 millions of Spanish talent on the field that day. Have refereed Belgium at the WC. 4th official between Belgium and Argentina at WC, including Messi.
-Eugene: Refereed Roberto Baggio many years ago.Never be in awe of who you referee. You may get to referee players YOU feel are above your level. They're not. You've been appointed for a reason. Do the job and then you can reflect on it. Be mindful

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-Jack: 'How were you presented your FIFA badges and how did it feel?
-Ben: Presentation done with local coach. New when nominated went in, but didn't celebrate til actually had it. One badge arrived in mail and other was presented - the mailed one was received on Christmas Eve.
-Chris: Received by mail, but also a phone call from coach and a presentation formally.
-Jared: Similar to Chris. At a pub with mates for NYE and jumped onto FIFA website to check the updated list and saw his name there. The actual badge we think was lost. Didn't have the badge in time for 50th HAL match.

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-Harrison: "Do you still enjoy watching football casually for enjoyment?"
-Ben: have to eat and live football. Sat down with the others watching matches from the Copa America matches. FT allows that to happen as an elite group.
-Chris: I follow the Soceroos and Matildas, only teams really.
-Jared: Liverpool supporter. Still enjoy watching football. Harder to watch it when its close to home, even in other sports; always something to gain from watching another match official. Will still watch the referee in other matches.

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-Sam: "How often do you read the LotG?"
-Jared: Have just done a LotG test, so very recently.
-Allyson:Every week.
-Ben: It's all about preparation, knowing the Laws prevents panic and increases likelihood of correct decision. The game constantly changes and so does refereeing.
-Eugene: You should have a LotG book in kitbag at all times. Allows you to check decisions at half time. Many referees don't leave home without their copy.

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-Verity: "What are your pre-match instructions?"
-Ben: All prepare differently. I have a massive list on my phone covering a large range of scenarios. When appointments come out, emails instructions and views out to referee team.
-Chris: Generally consistent. Uses TEAMWORK as an acronym for his instructions. Needs fine-tuning depending on the referee team make-up (i.e. some from other countries) to ensure key messages are delivered.
-Jared: The LotG form  the basis of everything we do. When under pressure, we often revert back to our norm out of habit, often despite instructions. Pre-match is more about how teams might play and what might pop up and getting in the right frame of mind. Doesn't work for everybody. Other referees approach it differently. No two referees are the same, take from each mentor and coach what works for you and build on that.

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-Will: "How do you cope with full time and refereeing?"
-Allyson: You have to be organised and forward planning. Mostly trains at night. Good relationship and understanding with employer which helps with arranging time off for matches or tournaments etc.
-Ben: How you manage your own time, but also how you manage relationships with those around you is critical. Need to make relationships as positive as possible, and make it open as to what can come up.
-Eugene: A lot of referees at elite level not  FT. Have made career choices and pathways that suit their refereeing career - often conscious choices.

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-Kevin: "What does FT actually entail day-to-day?"
-Chris: In-seasons - all about being best prepared as for next match. At AIS each fortnight. Will go to recovery center for recovery session if had a previous game. If no game, then training session. Followed by intense DVD match review with Eugene. Self-assessment process for EVERY game during season which builds a pattern of performance. Tuesday is a training session + prep for next natch. FT allows more time for match prep - studying team tactics etc. Fly home Wednesday. Training as appropriate for when next match is. Plus mid-week travel for AFC matches if have those games. No longer have to return from match and have to go to work the next day without a proper training/recovery or sleep program. Now living and preparing like an elite athlete.
-Chris: Off-season: AIS review, testing, physical testing sessions to show growth. Few weeks off, then straight back into training for international matches. Now able to forward for international matches and seminars to be able to hit them fully prepared.
-Ben: Able to access nutritionist, sports psychologist, strength training specialists through AIS. Have identified that mental approach to refereeing is important at all levels of the game. Able to leverage relationships with match officials and match official coaches in other sports to learn from each other.

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-FFA role as Elite Referee Coach, coaching the top referees at HAL and W-League level.
-Always looking for improvements.
-Corporate working life 35yrs+.
-Refereed in the NSL, including NSL Grand Finals.
-FIFA AR and Referee for a number of years.
-The FT referees are the product of many experiences as a young referee.
-Career ceiling dependent on many factors including how much effort you put in, ability, how much you take on from coaches and mentors.
-Feedback is always helpful as it makes you think.
-Will receive many pieces of feedback - you need to process the feedback and determine what is useful for YOU that improves your performance.

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-Started later in life with refereeing at age 18 when moved to start Physio studies at uni.
-Physio studies and refereeing career have gone hand in hand the whole career.
-It's not about gender, it's about being good enough to officiate.
-Didn't set out to be on the HAL panel or the Mens AFC panel, it's just the opportunities offered and taken.
-Lots of various Kanga experiences. Referee, Coach, KCYRA Referee Director.
-Be a sponge and learn and learn and learn.

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-Did course through school in 1992 (NSL times)
-First 4th official in 1997.
-Did a match with Paul Smith in NZ - Forgot the match ball! OOPS!
-Began career as an AR to gain further experience in NSL as no spots on the CR panel.
-Appointed as AR on NSL GF in Perth in 1999.
-Had a fair chance at a FIFA badge as an AR, but wanted to referee so made that choice.
- Has announced retirement from refereeing at end of the year. Last HAL game already done.
-Was at National Titles in 1995 with Dave Maskell.
-Last game potentially Juventus v Tottenham.
-Hoping to finish on a big WC qualifier.
-Tap into knowledge from mentors anc coaches. Don't copy their style, be your own ref, but take what you can from their knowledge and experience.

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-Started refereeing in 2000 after 10yrs of playing (or trying) after an argument with a referee in a match.
-Did a course through school and enjoyed refereeing.
-Eventually stopped playing and focused on refereeing.
-The FT referees is proof that the structure and systems in place for referee development work.
-Debut HAL game was in Wellington - mixed up YC and RC in his pockets. OOPS! Living proof can recover from mistakes.
-Joined FIFA panel in 2011.
-Was juggling professional life running own business up until selection for FT referee.
Has freed up time to focus on refereeing in a range of areas.

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-KC doesn't seem that long ago - but was pre-FB and digital cameras.
-Social media has changed the role and perception of the referee.
-Grew up on the Gold Coast, took up refereeing during 1997, played as well to start off.
-Kept playing as pocket money after realising limited potential as a player.
-Switched to Brisbane to referee to be in same atmosphere and training reign as Peter Green, Mark Shields...?
-Life was all in Brisbane, so moved there.
-Refereeing career took off.
-First HAL match in Sept 2010 at age 23.
-Was lucky, given a chance and importantly, TOOK IT.