CEO Capital Football Heather Reid Has A lot To Say On Football Overseas and Here In The ACT Region

This is a Nearpost Local special edition – an extended discussion with the CEO Capital Football, Heather Reid. Heather is still the only female CEO of a member Federation within the FFA. Heather Reid is also the CEO of Canberra United.

Heather has only recently returned from Europe, where she attended the Womens World Cup, represented the CEO of the FFA at the FIFA women’s football symposium and recruited a new Head Coach for Canberra United.

Photo above is of the new Canberra United coach.

Heather talks about the standard of Football across the nations in the World Cup and the issues discussed at the FIFA symposium. A very interesting football discussion and some candid observations about the Matilda’s performance.

And this is just the start of this discussion with the CEO Capital Football.

We cover a lot of ground and it’s all about things that impact on Football in the ACT region.

The matters we discuss evidence some decent forward planning at Capital Football and I must say, in the nick of time. Nothing is ever completely resolved in the biggest particpation sport in the ACT region, but we are beginning to see some important progress, good ideas, some fortuitious opportunites emerging, and a healthy dose of pragmatism.

Now the challenge is to bring the Clubs along and before things too far ahead at Football House. This appears to be happening for some for the issues, but its essential that conversations and analysis at Football House (Board, Standing Advisory committees and staff) translate into substantive engagement and support across all Clubs  at the earliest possible time. There is always the temptation to serve up a one solution option as effective consultation. Supporting documents which underpin discussion need to get published on the Capital Football and Club websites as soon as possible. Good communication and time for consultation is essential. This takes time at Club level.

Here’s a starting list of some of things that get honorable mentions in this discussion:

• New Canberra United Coach – why a female coach?

• The Canberra United roster – fascinating and not yet finished!

• The financial management of Canberra United – sponsorship and grants see this "club" just about cost neutral to Capital Football which is good news. This is a big step forward. Something to celebrate! (Its an important first step to detaching Canberra United from Capital Football and perhaps separating the management of both - but that's clearly a little further into the future)

• The importance of ACTAS women’s program and the Capital Football age representative teams that compete at the National Junior Championships

• The review of the Mens Premier League structure – changes to be implemented in 2012. This is likely to involve significant change to the present arrangements.

• The impact of the FFA’s National competition review on football in the ACT – considerable! Can’t wait till it arrives, best to get started.

• Steps being taken to cover the talented Mens 17 to 20 years development pathway. Changes in circumstances at the AIS have given the ACT Football community an extra-ordinary opportunity, which Capital Football looks to have siezed upon (frankly, this is more than we could ever have hoped for and if delivered in full provides exactly the pathway we have all sort for these young players - at a fraction of the cost of a youth league team):

o AIS to provide a team in the Mens Premier League and to include 4-6 young Canberra players (on non residential scholarships)

o AIS and ACTAS Mens to form a “Club” for the purpose of participating in the Mens Premier League. Allows for movement of players when required to ensure all games are played when scheduled (except where agreed otherwise)

o AIS to include the Canberra based non residential scholarship holders in the National Youth League squad (so they play in this competition as well! Amazing opportunity.)

• Some good progress on the future development of artificial playing surfaces (note I use the plural!) in the Mawson / Phillip area (and not the former golf course range - though that too must not be lost to medium density housing developers - hope this has not been traded off by anyone in football!). This one might just happen.

• Futsal registrations going gangbusters – North and South Canberra, the astonishing Boomerangs FS who are now a part of the NSW Premier League and the start of a local junior Premier League based on Football Club involvement (at last we have tapped the right organisational structure to support Futsal).

Look there is plenty more, so best you get a restorative drink, headphones on or speakers turned up, door closed, feet up and listen in.

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What Becomes of the Men's Under 17 to 20 Talented Players in the ACT?

Know who this is? He had a pathway! The rest as they say is history.

As I walk this land of Football dreams,

I have visions of many things.

Football happiness is just an illusion,

Filled with sadness and confusion.

What becomes of the broken hearted

Who had dreams that are now departed?

I know I've got to find

Some kind of opportunity

Maybe.

An NPL adaptation of the Motown classic by Jimmy Ruffin 

"What Becomes Of The Broken-hearted ".

 

 How many ACT young  male Football players, post ACTAS,  or never got to ACTAS, those in the 17 to 20 age group, have had their Football dreams squashed through lack of opportunity here in the ACT. Too many is my guess , but we will never really know. What a shame.

There is one problem, one glaring deficiency in player development in the ACT - talented male players between the ages of 17 and 20 years of age. The dissatisfaction expressed on the sidelines among parents with young men, for whom the football dream is still burning bright, is getting pretty savage and for good reason.

And what are people saying?

While ever there is a Canberra United team for our most talented women players (and lets hope the import list does not grow any larger), financed by the ACT Football Community (through Capital Football), the question will continue to be asked  - "What is Capital Football doing for our most talented male players between 17 and 20 years of age?" What indeed! Why is it happening for the women and not the men? Why indeed!

No one in their right mind would want anything to be taken away from the Women's game here in the ACT. What the young talented women players have here in the ACT is fantastic. It could use a bit of polishing at times, but otherwise, there is a pathway to a National competition opportunity resident here in the ACT. As long as the focus for Canberra Untied is firmly and heavily biased toward a ACT developed player roster, it is a golden opportunity for all young ACT female players who dream of being part of  higher levels of competition.

The Football Community in the ACT wants the same opportunity for the talented young men. They should have it!

Capital Football had done nothing to this point of any note to bridge the developmental gap for men in the Under 17 to 20 age group. Everything comes to a dead halt for talented young players in this age grouping who are past ACTAS eligibility, not in then AIS or at an A League Club!  Nothing is on the horizon.

What's the option for these talenteed young male players - leave the ACT and seek a playing opportunity in another  State Premier League Club and hope you will get noticed? Go overseas? Both are high risk very low return options. One thing is certain - our Premier League is not of a high enough standard to develop talented youth players and nor is particularly noticed by anyone outside the ACT. ACt Premier League CLubs are generally doing all they can do with little financial means to build a greater opportunity. Sad but true for the talented young player between the ages of 17 to 20 years and looking to go a lot further in Football. To move they generally require substantial family support and that is just not possible for many families.

What becomes of the broken hearted

Who had dreams that are now departed?

They often give up Football or simply drift into the local competitions, all forgotten, unless they have strong links to Premier League Clubs who keep them playing. But the dream is gone. Sad.

This is not a new problem. That also what makes it so unacceptable. We are simply admiring the problem!

John Mitchell, that far sighted Football Coach and former technical Director of Capital Football describes this "gap" as a "tragic vacant space". Absolutely correct. Mitchell tried valiantly to construct a solution to this problem here in the ACT through our loacl Premier League, with his "ANU Elite" proposal for the ANU Premier League licence. Capital Football approved his proposal, then seemingly did nothing to support and as a consequence, it withered on the vine in its second year and ANU departed from the Premier League. Mitchell seemed to have precious little encouragement from Capital Football, PL Clubs knew little of the detail of his ANU Elite proposal, Capital Football did not speak of it and did not own it, and in the end it collapsed leaving good Football people worn out. Whether it was the best solution is another matter, but one thing is certain, it was the only one in the ACT. From this initiative, Mitchell did have a large hand in producing several Football success stories that were not repeated anywhere else in the CF Premier League or indeed by Captial Football. Good ideas die hard in ACT Football, amid petty jealousies , a lack of vision and administrative treacle.

It was Mitchell, who in an interview with the NPL some time ago, came up with the best solution I have heard to fixing this matter. This is the same fellow that championed small sided games in Australia, first implemented in the ACT during his time and with great success and which are is the bedrock of the National Football Curriculum. But is anyone listening? Go back into the NPL archives and find his interview if you need a few ideas.

Many (including myself) put their hopes in an A League for Canberra bid, that, had it succeeded, would have provided a potential pathway for our most talented players, assuming it also included a Youth League team. It has not materialised and until such time as Capital Football can construct a business solution that is cost neutral to the FFA, no A League Youth team for Canberra will come into existence. Football has moved on and with it the FFA. But remember those words "cost nuetral to the FFA" - because that is what the FFA will be looking for from us in teh future given the procession of failed or financialy crippled A league franchises. We must move on.

There is a modest but significant pot of gold in the bank collected from ACT Football fans for the A League for Canberra bid. That would provide a good kick start to a Football development solution for Under17 to 20 talented players going forward. There must be a way of putting this proposition to the donors. How and who gets this rolling?

Let me put this proposition to you - if Capital Football could construct a viable, cost neutral (to the FFA) youth team for the Under17 to 20 age group, Give it a Canberra name or perhaps Canberra United also (pity Deakin was allowed to take Canberra FC - never understood that one!), place it in the most appropriate competition outside the ACT, pay the players no more than is paid to Canberra United women's players (and that is next to nothing), restrict it to ACT players, have it well coached and supported in the same fashion as any other professional team (I am thinking of the AIS squad here), set up a separate entity to run this proposal (perhaps combine it with Canberra United Women's and have it run by a separate, truly separate organisation), be prepared to campaign this  team for a minimum of two years ......

Is this proposal or something like it, something you could be interested in and support?

Yes or No?

Start pushing your Regional Representatives (they are CF Board Members), Club Presidents get the pen going, CF Board members take up the issue at the next Board meeting, anyone out there that wants it to happen should let the CEO Capital Football know by letter or email that you want something done - and some time this side of the next Men's Under 17 or Under 20 World Cups!

A Canberra Fans Forum on this subject - it would be a cracker!

Its time for discussion and action.

Canberra United Annual Awards Presentation

Sourced from Capital Football website http://www.capitalfootball.com.au/site/news.php?id=1222

Canberra United held their annual awards function at Regatta Point, Canberra, on Sunday 13th February. And take a look at the photos below - WOW - they did it in style. (Where is your dinner suit Mr Barr - this is not the AFL!)

The team in formal dress

Player of the Year – SALLY SHIPARD

Player’s Player of the Year – CAITLIN COOPER

Rising Star – EMILY VAN EGMOND


2XX Supporters Award – SALLY SHIPARD


Leprechauns Trophy – ELLYSE PERRY

The presentation also saw the release of the club’s unique Official Yearbook. The 68-page full-colour publication is available to supporters, priced $15, upon request from Canberra United Media Manager, Russ Gibbs, at media@capitalfootball.com.au

Canberra United V Brisbane Roar Game Postponed

Capital Football have advised that the Canberra United , W League fixture against Brisbane Roar this weekend has been postponed.
No problem, gives us extra time to prepare to beat them! Pity though - given our recent success in the rain at Deakin, I reckon we were red hot specials to win.

The details given to Capital Football by the FFA Manager, W League Operations is as follows:

Please be advised that due to recent bad weather affecting the surface at Perry Park, Football Federation Australia has rescheduled your Week 7 Westfield W-League fixture as follows:
Original Fixture Brisbane Roar v Canberra United Saturday 18 December 2010 4:00 pm Perry Park
Fixture Brisbane Roar v Canberra United Tuesday 21 December 2010 3:00 pm Perry Park

South Korea ‘B’ team to Play Canberra United "Young Guns" At Deakin Tonight!

If you can get your daughter to this game, please do so. It could be your daughter in the future and a chance to have a look at some of the younger players being prepared by Coach Junna at ACTAS. There should be more of this!

Capital Football advise the following:

Korea challenge chance for United’s young guns
Monday, 13 December 2010 by Russ Gibbs, CanberraUnited.com.au The visit of South Korea ‘B’ to Deakin Stadium on Tuesday 14th December will give Canberra United Head Coach Ray Junna the chance to assess the next generation of talent waiting in the wings as well giving squad members a chance to fight for a starting jersey.
“We could see the likes of Georgia Yeoman-Dale, Catherine Brown, Ashleigh Palombi, Ellie Raymond, Sophie Kochinos and Meg McLaughlin, players of that calibre taking to the field,” Junna revealed.
“They are the up and coming group that will be pushing for Westfield W-league spots in the next couple of years, so this is a chance for them to see where they are at. It’s also a good opportunity for our recently injured players to get a full game under their belt and put their hand up for selection. I think there will be a few players chomping at the bit to put in a good performance as we are getting to that stage now where it’s the business end of the season and I’m sure they all want to be involved at that time of year.”
The match comes in the middle of a trio of testing challenges for United, who come into the fixture of the back of a long road trip to play Newcastle Jets, before setting their sights on the Westfield W-League summit meeting with the ever-dangerous Brisbane Roar.
“We have to be mindful that on Saturday we have to go to Brisbane so we will be giving some of our younger players, and some of the ACTAS players, a chance to show their ability on the field,” Junna said.
“At this stage I don’t think that the squad could back up for three games in a week so we’ll bring in some of the ACTAS players to see how they fare against what will be very decent opposition and they can see where they are at in terms of their progress and development.”
Canberra United plays South Korea B in an International Challenge match on Tuesday 14th December at Deakin Stadium, Grose Street, Deakin with kick off at 5.30pm. Gates will open at 5pm and admission is FREE.

CEO Capital Football Talks About Some Issues in 2010 - Part 1

This program is broadcast on 2xxfm (93.3mhz), across the Australian Community Radio Network, on Tuesday 7 December 2010 at 7:00PM.

A bloody cartoon Kangaroo! As if there isn't enough of the buggers running around the Nation's Capital City and a few more in Parliament House too for that matter. Stupid and bugger all to do with Football.

 This program is Part 1 of an extended end of year interview with the CEO Capital Football, Heather Reid.
In this part we talk about Australia's unsuccessful World Cup bid, he $26 million that the ACT Government so generously gave the AFL for a team in Greater Western Sydney and the inability to secure an A league franchise or an A League Yout team in the ACT. The impact of these matters in part and in summary have damaged Football development in the ACT region. This gets very political and we have not been good at managing the "politics" around football and the ACT Government's recognition / acknowledgement of Football's supremacy in our region. The role of the FFA in these matters and their support of Football in the ACT has neen shameful.
Its all in front of the Capital Football Board in 2011.

We talk about Canberra United and that incredible game last Saturday and the Summer 20s (a subject we return to in Part 2 of the interview).

Sit back, cup of tea in hand, put the headphones on and listen.

Download the Podcast here:

More On That Incredible Canberra United Game

Sourced from http://www.photoblog.com/nearpost/2010/12/04/adelaide-vs-canberra.html

For the fans that didn't get to this once in a decade (maybe ever) kinda game, this will paint the picture perfectly. (See previous item on the NPL for the game report)

It started like this (and we got four goals):

Then this arrived:



The second half turned into this:

The Nearpost / Farpost team are well set up (2xxfm broadcasts home games live so tune in) in the Press Box - Gotta be "accredited" to get in there. If there's another storm like this one they have some company for sure!:

 The Refs do a pitch inspection (just to make sure it really did get wet - well it was flooding at this stage):

Game off and the girls celebrate:

Canberra United Pass The Basic Swim Test To Beat Adelaide United

In what can only be described as one of the most unusual and entertaining games of W League Football, in fact any League of Football, Canberra United defeated Adelaide UNited at Deakin Football Stadium, 4:0.

This picture form the Canberra Times captured the scene.

Where to begin?

I suppose we start with the fact that the ACT region, along with just about everywhere else, has been experiencing heavy rain storms. The fact that the game went ahead is amazing and probably in no small measure to the generousity of spirit of Canberra FC, whose home ground, the very fine Deakin Stadium, was made available for the game. Any other time in these conditions, no one would have played on this surface and nor should they. The playing surface looked green from the stands, but the grass just hid a whopping big puddle. But it was game on!

From this point on, it will become clear to the NPL reader that a force greater than Football itself was at work this day. What is bigger than Football? I have no idea, but after today I'm prepared to concede it is just possible. I was similiarly unaware that Coach Junna was so well connected with the "forces of nature" and beyond, but again, this too must be acknowledged.

Poor bloody Adeliade United, they had no chance. Deakin Stadium was this afternoon the ACT Football's equivalent of the Bermuda Triangle.

This is how it went.

Canberra United v Adelaide United match still on

Capital Football Media Officer advises as follows:

Canberra United Media Release Friday 3rd December 2010

The scheduled Week Five Westfield W-League Match between Canberra United and Adelaide United to be held at Deakin Stadium on Saturday 4th December is currently scheduled to proceed at 5.00pm despite the torrential rain that has swept across Canberra throughout the week.

The match will go ahead as planned pending a pitch inspection by the match officials and Canberra United CEO, Heather Reid.

ACTAS Ready To Campaign in England and Holland, While The FFA Reschedules The NTC Challenge

This program is broadcast on 2xxfm (98.3mhz) on Tuesday, 30 November 2010 at 7:ooPM across the Australian Community Radio Network.


Tonight’s interview is with the ACTAS Mens Head Coach – Miko Milanevic (Milo as his is known in football circles). ACTAS is about to depart on its annual overseas football tour, this time to England and Holland. It’s a fantastic itinerary, with a game very second day. The overseas tour, and integral part of the ACTAS program is planned 12 months in advance. This is usually followed by ACTAS’s participation in the FFA’s NTC Challenge held at the AIS in late January. Unfortunately, the FFA decide to change the timing for the NTC Challenge in August this year, rescheduling it from January 2011 to December 2010 - far too late for ACTAS to withdraw from the Overseas tour without heavy financial penalty. By agreement with the FFA, ACTAS will proceed on its tour and the NTC Challenge will go ahead without ACTAS. The ACTAS program will be adjusted for 2011, assuming the FFA doesn’t change the dates again. On return to Australia, the ACTAS squad will loose some players due to age and invite new players to join the squad. The process never stops. The question that worries us all is what can be done for those players too old for ACTAS, not accepted for the AIS and no further development opportunities in the ACT beyond the local Premier League which as a rule trains twice a week. It worries the ACTAS coach. John Mitchell correctly described this as a “tragic vacant space”. And so it is.


Download Podcast here:



There is a lot going on in football and futsal in the ACT at the present time.

Canberra United play Adelaide this Saturday at Deakin Stadium, commencing at 5:00PM. A Game not to be missed and a game that must be won. Its a short competition and another draw would be only marginally better than a loss. So get there and give your support.
 
The ACT Futsal teams to contest the Nationals are now in training and preparing for the Nationals in early January. Training frequency will intensify as soon as the holidays commence. It’s a good opportunity for local community coaches to get a few clues – look up the training times for the age group you are interested in, on the CF website, and go and watch the training. If you get a chance, take a day’s leave and go and watch a few games at the Nationals. There are some good players and coaches at the Nationals.

The National Training Centre Challenge is being held next week at the AIS. The best 15-17 year old boys in the Nation are on display, as each State or Territory Academy or Institute of Sport fields a team. This is the cohort of boys who are aiming up on that first serious step toward a career in professional football. They have all trained long and hard for this competition. Some will make it through to the AIS and some will be selected for Australian age representative teams. For many, this will the last serious, continuous football development they experience in their lives. Points are awarded for a team’s technical performance as well as the match result. This is a competition really worth a look at. You get to recalibrate your football compass around youth football and get a clearer understanding of the talent you see in your club. Some of the talent at the NTC Challenge is amazing. Just get there, one day for your football education and enjoyment.

The Summer 20s are trundling along, close to a finish and then the semis and final. Done and dusted by Christmas. For the clubs involved it has been a very useful opportunity to further develop players for next season. I have spoken previously about the disappointment many feel, because all the PL clubs did not field a team in the competition. Capital Football entered the Summer U17 HP squad in the Summer 20s (to make it an even number of teams and avoid a Bye each week).and that’s been a mixed blessing for all concerned. They are a young team with players predominantly 15 / 16 years of age. They are well coached, but its obvious that it has been difficult to find enough players to fill a match card some weeks. The reason appears simple enough – the CF Summer HPP U17 lads are for the most part, overmatched, the level of resistance is too high for many of them for this to be an experience that delivers good individual football development outcomes. Its surprising that the CF techncial assessment of this group of players did not reveal this prior to enterring the team. MAtters came to a head last Sunday - the CF Team forfeited their game. No one was happy about that. I regret to say that this reflects very poorly on CF. If some parents are unhappy with their boy(s) playing in this competition, as part of the HPP they should make thier concerns known to CF, which I guess at this time is the CEo, as we have no Technical Director. Is it likely the CF HPP U17 team will play either of the two remaining games? If not, CF should make it known immediately. If this is not working for the boys in this squad, stop it now. The canteen was not operating – again!
CF have not done a good job with the 2010 Summer 20s.

Canberra United Off To A Flying Start

This article is sourced from http://www.canberraunited.com.au/

Heyman hat-trick gets United off to winning start
Sunday, 7 November 2010 by Russ Gibbs, CanberraUnited.com.au

A hat-trick to new signing Michelle Heyman was the highlight as Canberra United kicked off their Westfield W-League Season Three campaign with a thrilling 4-1 victory over Perth Glory at 6PR Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The 2009 Julie Dolan Medal Winner and Westfield W-League Golden Boot continued where she left off last season with a devastating display of clinical finishing to which the home team simply had no answer as United got their season off to a wonderful start. The margin of victory means that Ray Junna and his team lead the way after the first round of action in the national women’s competition and will head into next weekend’s blockbuster showdown with Brisbane Roar in confident mood.

Local Canberra Players Make The Canberra United Squad - Outstanding!

Coach Junna had some hard decisions to make around the last couple of positions in his Cnaberra United squad. At the launch recently, two young Wonden Valley WFC players were jointly listed and it seemed that it woul dbe one or the other. The players concerned play in very different positions. Both had outstanding seasons at Woden Valley under Coach Hollis.

The players concerned were Sally Rojahn and Grace Field. Now how do you pick between these two players?

The good news is that Coach Junna found a way to have both young players join the Canberra United squad. Outstanding!

And there are maore waiting for the call in our Premier League Clubs.

Make sure you bookmark the Canberra United website and check it regularly. Its a good one - http://www.canberraunited.com.au/

The Capital Football presss release covers all the detail.

Local youngsters given United chanceTuesday, 2 November 2010 by Russ Gibbs, CanberraUnited.com.au Woden Valley youngsters Grace Field and Sally Rojahn have been officially drafted into the Canberra United squad for the start of Westfield W-League Season Three following some exceptional displays in training.
Both Field and Rojahn played a part in Canberra’s 3-0 win over the Illawarra Stingrays at Hawker Football Centre last month and, with news that potential US international recruit Natasha Kai was unable to sign for the club due to last minute obligations, Ray Junna had no hesitation in placing his faith in the duo.

Canberra United Begin The 2010/2011 Season This Weekend!

The W League kicks off this weekend.

Our Canberra United play their first game against Perth Glory in Perth on Sunday.

Canberra United has two Captains - Brush and Williams (Defender and GK). WE don't do things by have here in the Nations's Capital!

"Captain Brush" is pictured below:

The Capital Football media release says the following:

Co-Captains hoping for ideal start
Both Ellie Brush and Lydia Williams are hoping for the ideal start this weekend as Canberra United kicks off their Westfield W-League campaign with an away fixture against Perth Glory at 6PR Stadium on Sunday.
The jointly appointed team leaders are looking forward to finally getting into the thick of the action following an intensive build-up that has seen Head Coach Ray Junna putting the team through some extensive fitness exercises as well as forging a team bond that should stand the squad in good stead come Sunday afternoon.
“There’s a real buzz about the training field over the past week especially with the return of the Matildas’ players which has given everyone a lift,” Ellie Brush said. “We are really excited about this weekend’s game and want to come away with a win.”
“We are aiming to play an attacking formation that we have been working on, with an offensive looking side, with the aim that attack will be the best form of defence. It was a great help to have a hit-out and get out a few cobwebs out against the Stingrays, especially with the new players in the team, in order to get an understanding before the season gets underway. It’s been invaluable to do that.”
Brush has scored seven goals in two seasons for United from her position at centre-back and is keen to add to her tally in Season Three.
“There’s plenty of attacking talent in the team this season but I’ll certainly be looking for some goals myself! It’s always nice to get a few so hopefully I can get on the score sheet again this season,” she commented.
Goalkeeper Lydia Williams meanwhile has finally found her feet after an exhausting tour overseas with the Westfield Matildas. Having been selected for the squad that travelled to South Korea for the Peace Queen Cup and the subsequent European friendly with Germany, Williams has only just arrived back in the Capital. However, the Canberra custodian is confident that preparations are progressing nicely.
“Our preparation has been going well. Caitlin (Munoz), Sally (Shipard) and myself have just returned from our overseas tour but have fitted back into Australian time pretty well and all’s looking good on that front. Everyone is looking sharp,” Williams confirmed.
In a short ten-game season the onus is on racking up points early to give the team the best possible base for a finals assault, something that isn’t lost on Williams.
“We definitely need to get the ball rolling and get some early results under our belts, especially in the opening three matches, and that would be a real boost for us and put us on the front foot. We don’t want to be over-confident as we don’t know what the other teams have in terms of recruitment yet from other countries. Last year you could predict who was going to be the top teams whilst this year it’s anyone’s game. “
Canberra United starts their Westfield W-League season with an away trip to Perth Glory on Sunday. Kick-off is at 3pm local time, 6pm EST.

You can follow the match through our LIVE SCORING section on the Canberra United FC website (www.canberraunited.com.au).

CEO Capital Football Talks About Canberra United

CEO Capital Football and CEO Canberra United are one in the same person - Heather Reid.

Women's Football is improving rapidly in the ACT region and that is just the way it should be. The pathway for talented female players goes all the way from the local junior club to the Matildas if you are good enough. Just one important difference - its only possible because the ACT players and W league clubs pay the players nothing! Can you see a male player at comparable level accepting that situation? No way!

So for all those "chaps" loitering on the sidelines and having a little whinge about the fact that the "girls game" is getting "all the priority" (as one unenlightened selfish father with a son playing good football said to me last week), just remind yourself - whatever is being done for women's football is long overdue and it isn't enough.

So much more can be done for boys /men, no doubt of it, but don't pull the roof down over women's football. Don't make women's football in the ACT region the target of your unhappiness. Women's football development is fragile. Our Women's Premier League is in its infancy. Its worth noting that the W League teams are just about all underwritten by the member federations and as expensive as that is, its nothing like the costs associated with running the men's equivalent.

We are not going to get an A League team people, so get over it. The FFA doesn't want Canberra and frankly, the likelihood that we can sustain the yearly operating costs for an A League and A League Youth team from public contributions, gate receipts or a benefactor with long arms and short pockets (and does that really work??) is not strong enough yet to make the business case viable.

So we (that is - the ACT Clubs and Capital Football) must find another way to develop and assist the boys/ men break into higher levels of football - John Mitchells' plan (see earlier podcast on this blog) is a very good idea. Best I have heard in ages. Campaign talented boys/mens teams in the NSW competitions. The Boomerangs FS club proved it can be done with their very successful participation in the NSW Futsal Supa League and very modest support, but lots of drive from a few smart football people.

Instead of some otherwise well intentioned football people seeing women's football as a threat - perhaps these critics may care to entertain the possibility that the women's solution is "the way ahead"!

The W League season is close to starting and our Canberra United has been in preparation under Coach Junna, since the end of the last game of the past season. Coach Junna is also the Head Coach ACTAS Womens Football and, together with club coaches, has maximised every playing opportunity for the talented female players and Canberra United / Matildas etc aspirants. Its made a huge difference to the women's game in the ACT and the development opportunities for young female players. Nothing happens without forward thinking, flexibility, hard work, modest amounts of resources at the right time, good communication, parents picking up all the pieces in the background every day and tip top football expertise. Canberra United has had two terrific seasons and another very good season is anticipated.

In this interview, Heather Reid talks about the Canberra United playing roster, who's in and who has departed and why. We branch off into a short discussion about the Capital Football Women's Premier League and the grand finals just past, the ACTAS programs, the Futsal factor, what happened to the Central Coast Mariners Women's W League team, the funding arrangements for W League teams and the terrific possibilities for our young female players in the USA. Terrific interview as always with  Heather.

Canberra United appear to have a stronger playing roster this season. They have five games at home, four will be televised and you would be nuts not to go and watch the games. I promise you, it will be top class football. The W League season can't start soon enough!

The final section of this interview is an extract from a lengthy interview the NPL did with Ed Hollis - Head Coach of Woden Valley Womens FC. WVWFC have lifted the bar considerably in Womens Premier League football in the ACT. You will enjoy the full interview and this extract nails the Woden Valley colours to the mast right from the off! It can be done and we have lots of smart people in football in the ACT that can get it done.

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CANBERRA UNITED SQUAD for Season 2010/2011

The Westfield W-League Season Three is not far away and it can't come soon enough!

The Canberra United Squad has been settled by Coach Ray Junna and is as follows:

1. Lydia Williams (gk)
2. Caitlin Cooper
3. Lyndsay Glohe
4. Michelle Heyman
5. Kahlia Hogg
6. Caitlin Munoz
7. Ellie Brush
8. Tseng Shu-O
9. Grace Gill
10. Emily Van Egmond
11. Cian Maciejewski
14. Ashleigh Sykes
15. Sally Shipard
16. Ellyse Perry
17. Nicole Sykes
19. Jennifer Bisset
20. Jocelyn Mara (gk)

Plus three to be named

CEO Capital Talks About the HPP Review, Men's State League Review, Summer 20s and Women's Football and Canberra United

This program is broadcast on 2xxfm (98.3mhz), Tuesday 27 July 2010 at 7:00PM through the Australian Community Radio Network.

In this program we have a "fireside chat" with Heather Ried, CEO Capital Football. There is always a lot going on in Football and Futsal and Capital Football has a lot of "footballs in the air"!

The subjects covered are the Review of the High Performance Program and who is going to undertake this sensitive assignment, the Review of the Men's State League Competition, forthcoming Summer 20s, and Women's Football in the ACT and Canberra United.

But that's only one half of the interview!

In the second installment, which will be made available through the Nearposl Local as a Podcast, Heather will speak on other very important matters - the broadening of the Captial Football Futsal Premier League to include youth mens and womens, together with an very innovative approach to the selection of junior age ACT Futsal teams to compete at the Nationals in 2011. There is a review in progress covering the Discipline and Disputes regulations and finally, a very interesting discussion on the key resource issue currently limiting the development of football in the ACT region - the availability of suitable grounds - all the year. No grounds, no growth and less development and a game that is expanding!

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