Hector Vergara front and centre
Advertised as a 'Once In A Lifetime' opportunity,
EDSRA's 'Evening With Hector Vergara' did not disappoint!
Hector Vergara - Canada's FIFA Assistant
Referee
at the 2002 World Cup, gave an outstanding
presentation, bringing some of his World Cup
experiences to Edmonton, on a January evening that
will be remembered for a long time by all who attended.
After some words of introduction from John Hayes, who
knew Hector when he was a Class 2 referee who stood
out from the crowd, followed by a brief audio / visual
introduction - Hector was at the front and we were
transported magically back to the 2002 World Cup.
A large audience of almost 60 referees and soccer
enthusiasts were kept spellbound for the next 75 minutes
by an outstanding presentation of images, experiences,
emotions and ideas from Hector's appointments in Korea
and Japan.
A well deserved standing ovation was given to Hector
by the enthusiastic audience!
Some of the key points:
• Hector was astonished to get 6 games!
• Family support was a big help
• Preparation plays a major role
• Physical fitness is obviously important
• Nutrition equally important
• Lengthy pre-game instructions are standard
• The concentration leaves you mentally drained
• The atmosphere was amazing
• The officials are a very close group
• Hector hopes to get another chance to go!
TV station A-Channel was on hand to record an interview
to be used in an upcoming feature.
Representatives from the Edmonton Soccer Federation
and Alberta Soccer Association were on hand to add to
the prestige of the evening.
There were also a number distinguished names from
EDSRA's past at the event - Charter member Frank Fletcher,
Life Member Ian Hill, Life Member Jim Cox and EDSRA
Fellow David McDonald, who also conducted the elections
at the AGM which preceded Hector's presentation.
EDSRA 'Fellow' David McDonald is presented
with an EDSRA golf shirt in appreciation for his
contribution to the evening.
Life Member Ian Hill proves he is
still pretty quick on his feet as he
leaves with his EDSRA pin almost
beating the photographer!
Charter member Frank Fletcher receiving
an EDSRA pin from President Stu Murray.
After a 75 minute presentation, and a brief break,
Hector was ready for the second half!
A question and answer period was held, and
Hector skillfully answered a diverse range of
questions. We present a summarized version of
some of the questions and answers.
On advice to young referees who want to advance
-
• Focus on the things that YOU can control
• Get into good habits early in your career -
• Pre-game routines, mechanics, attitude.
How to maintain good positioning as an AR on
fields without the 'stripes' on the grass?
• Walk the line before your game
• Look for things that will not move and use them
as references - trees, poles etc.
• Run laterally down the line to stay 'square'.
Comments on the best referee in the World?
• Pierluigi Collina undoubtedly the most famous
and one of the best, but the Brazilian Carlos Simon
is rated very highly also.
Experiences off the field at World Cup
• People of host nations very friendly
• Referee community very close together.
• Met some interesting English fans
How did the post-game conferences go?
• Fine for Hector's games. Some other officials
had tough games, and they would be the first
to admit it. Everyone 'feels' for the guys who
had hard games.
How to develop and encourage young referees -
• Hector described the Manitoba Referees' FIFA
Club, where he and ex-FIFA referee Willie Laidlaw
meet with upcoming officials on a regular basis.
Why did Hector choose
to be a FIFA AR and not a
FIFA Referee?
• It's not always your choice, it's whatever
opportunity comes up. And once you make it as an
AR, do you want to give that up in the hope that you
can become a FIFA Referee? Hector was happy
just to go to the World Cup. To go as an Assistant
Referee was just fine.
The audience waits for the second half.
Hector signs a World Cup towel as one of the prizes.
A watchful President calculates the odds of winning.
One 'Big Guy' meets another - Hector and Jamin
All good things come to an end, and this
evening was no exception. Hector stayed
and answered quite few 'extra - off the record'
questions, signed autographs and had
pictures taken with several members.
At the end of the evening, Hector was
presented with a memento of the event,
a framed and personalized version
of the event poster.
It was a great evening Hector!
Thanks for the experience!
W.J. (Bill) Ostrowerka
• Edmonton & District Soccer Association
• Edmonton Minor Soccer Association
• Alberta Soccer Association
• Stu Ash
• David McDonald
• Uwe Welz
