Talk Sport: Keep cool, it's just for kicks

Mark Christie

Talk Sport with Mark Christie, chief executive, Waikato Bay of Plenty Football.

We are now past the halfway point of the 2015 season and having been in this job for only six months, it is clear to me that football is now a year-round, rather than seasonal, proposition.

It's been a few weeks since the 2015 Fifa U-20 World Cup ended. It was exceptional. Our region actively supported the games played at Hamilton's Waikato Stadium. Hopefully, you saw a game or two, for the quality was high and the atmosphere superb.

Our task now is to ensure we build on the interest and momentum gained from the event. It is important the tournament leaves a lasting legacy in New Zealand. Through playing and coaching opportunities, improved equipment and infrastructure, I believe we can do it.

Fair play is a hot topic in many sports, and football has had its challenges in this area. WaiBOP is working with the Regional Sports Trusts on strategies to improve sideline behaviour and reduce referee abuse.

Remember, whether kids or adults are playing, it is just a game. We cannot allow small pockets of anti-social behaviour to bring us all down.

One of my focuses in the next year or so will be to help strengthen our clubs' capability. Healthy, well-run clubs provide more and better opportunities for players, coaches, administrators and referees.

NZ Football's Quality Club Mark programme is an excellent tool for clubs to assess and improve their capacity. Eight clubs in our region, including three in the Bay of Plenty, have already received the one-star Developing Club award and I congratulate them. Hopefully, many more follow.

We are actively promoting the girls' and women's game.

During the school holidays we have seen WaiBOP women's football development officer Holly Nixon run a series of girls-only holiday programmes, including highly attended sessions here in the Bay.

We've also seen Sarah Walker, an assistant referee from our region, run the line in the semifinal of the Fifa Women's World Cup in Canada.

To keep in touch with everything that is happening in our region, you should visit our website regularly: www.waibopfootball.co.nz