Red Card For Mummy & Other Soccer Stories

Is cheating common in a game of football? How does a ref decide whether or not to give a Red Card? A Yellow Card? Stop the Match? We go inside the Referee's mind to discover exactly what it takes for a parent to don the kit and pick up a whistle. What are the no go zones for on field behaviour? How much money can you make? is it tax deductible? And do you have to be mad to even try. Ben Walker , Australian parent, Lawyer and civil servant, and former house husband takes his experience with the rules to a whole new level in this conversation about his life as a ref . Here are his notes from our session. Of course, he's the ref, he always does the paperwork. Fitness, legitimate cash money, learning new skills all came into it for Ben, as well as a pressing need to get out of the house. In Ben's mind, what makes a good referee is:Good fitness.Sense of humour.Good knowledge of the rules.Being close to the playBe decisive aka ‘sell your decision’ and see the lighter side of things when appropriateHow to get the best out of a referee from a juniors club perspective:Within reason to look after them and make sure they’re capable marshals to escort them to and from the pitch, ensure that the change rooms are in reasonable order, make sure they have good access to refreshments and be mindful there is little time between matches so referees on match day are truly time poorBe mindful of cliched gender roles:So many juniors clubs have the women at relegated to the tuckshop and perhaps Team Manager - a thankless task, normally. By comparison the blokes lounge around drinking coffee's and /or beers and perhaps, if pressed, will run the line. These are exaggerations but you get the point.Ben says it’s always very helpful to have the pitch markings in good order, that way the players and spectators and especially officials can tell whether the ball is in or out of play. It aids safety, reduces confusion and can reduce the potential for needless conflictBenches and the referee:Smart benches don’t constantly abuse the referee. They realise it potentially puts him/her offside  it also can lead to the bench being thrown off the pitch (red card) and big fines as well as setting a poor example to the players & spectators. Benches are not a de facto spectator space. Only team officials and actual players should be there, the reason being if the ball is really hardly struck and goes into the bench area and someone gets hurt there’s a significant risk that non-officials non-players won’t be covered for injury if they’re hurt.At a lesser level, the smart thing to do if the Bench is concerned a particular player is not being treated fairly is to very clearly and simply say it loudly when the referees going past. Although the preferable method is for the captain to raise it with the referee in a break in play e.g. say that the striker has been knocked around or blocked or whatever the issue is. Any referee worth feeding is open to a respectful request and will be more vigilant. 

They stripped off to raise funds to compete. Can you believe this was the only way Women's Football in Australia - our beloved Matilda's - could garner the financial support and promotional appeal to propel them into the 2000 Sydney Olympics? The extraordinary thing about the Matilda's decision to strip down - de rigeur at the time for fundraising ( think Calendar Girls in the UK) - was that is was sanctioned by women's football's governing body at the time. Come now and meet Maria Berry AM (Hall of Fame inductee to Football Victoria) for her work is a pioneering sports administrator in Women's Football. Maria was part of that decision making process and joins us to tell the tale, amongst others, in this straight from the kit room exclusive.

Well, if you want to work as a professional in Soccer, there's Plan A and Plan B . Andy Brennan, is both charismatic and dynamic midfielder for the South Melbourne Soccer Club, and club psychologist at A League contenders, Melbourne City. In fact, he credits his longevity and ability to withstand the maelstrom of a life as a soccer pro not just to committed mentors and hard work on the pitch, but quite specifically, to the time he has spent developing his mind set.Through a pottered path, Andy found his own way to the A League as a player through the Newcastle Jets, where the realities of soccer life hit him hard. But out of immense breakdown comes unique possibility, and in this candid chat, Andy reveals his own journey to mental fitness, and his commitment to inspire others to follow that lead.

Helen Tyrikos is one of those rare breeds - a senior female football administrator who actually is paid for her work. Legendary in Soccer circles, Helen is doing amazing work researching the relationship between a parents behaviour and the kids' collection red cards - so sit up straight; we are looking at YOU, Mummy. Even if you are a Daddy. Here's another interesting tidbit, I bet you never considered...When a kid makes the big time, who actually sees the money? Helen has some amazing facts about the financial return clubs get for developing elite players - when a kid gets discovered, what's in it for your local club? And is it the same for girls as it is for boys? No? Oh, come on. You surprise me. All you never knew you needed to know about parents, red cards and money. Follow us on Insta and follow the show.

Bryce Ruthven. This is the place where Soccer and Reality TV collide! The Big, Bold, Blonde Married At First Sight Alumni of Season 8, Bryce certainly made his mark on Australian Television with his strong physical presence and straight shooting style. And he continued outside the game too, fearless in his scathing account of his time on the reality TV show. But always one to win, Bryce walked away with a real life Bride Melissa, and together they parent twins. Bryce takes his experience on Married At First Sight and applies it to his life as a soccer player and coach - the importance of mindset and team, playing a game with a team you may not like, and of course - his ultimate Red Card Moment.

SPECIAL EDITION: Who better to dive into all the drama, fuss and implications of Sam Kerr's court case in London for the racial harassment of a police officer, than #KeepersMum, Libbi Gorr and #TheSportsAmbassador, Tracey Holmes.Sam Kerr - Australia's highest paid female footballer on something like $3.3 million with her playing and endorsements taken in account. And yet, she's now facing court for a skirmish after a big celebratory night out, full of booze, vomit, involuntary detainment, and altercation.What does this mean for the Matildas? Who better to dive into the drama and dissect the story, that two women known also for their exemplarary skills and ability to shirtfront? With Libbi Gorr and Tracey Holmes

An unexpected and spectacularly new conversation with the father of Matilda Emily Van Egmond, her Dad and coach Gary, and super fan Clyde, A Liverpool tragic, about the understanding that each man raised two gay children. Do Dad's have these conversations, particularly with each other? They do on Red Card For Mummy, where stories are the calling card for compelling conversation. This unexpected and revealing twist sprang out of joyful revelations about travelling the world for soccer. The reckless spending on airfares. The friends you make. The insights gleaned from other cultures ( Gary for a heartbeat coached the Chinese Under 17 youth girls squad - you should hear his observations about early specialisation in sport for teens). And of course, Gary's toe kicking red card moment, which cost someone else a fortune.