Kickoff in Jordan

We have concluded the five-day seminar with some of the top FIFA instructors. The topics of the seminar centered on:  Interfering with an Opponent, AR Priorities, Gaining an Advantage, Tactical Fouls/DOGSO, Tackles and Challenges, Handling, and Positioning. In order to properly implement these concepts into our games we must be “In the best position to make the best decision,” an ever present theme of the tournament. Before we concluded the seminar, we had the honor of attending the FIFA referee dinner where we were presented with medals commemorating the tournament. The local organizing committee organized this cultural dining event so we could experience the Jordanian cuisine and entertainment. The food featured a variety of local appetizers, salads, and meats. We have come to love the local hummus!

The tournament kicks off tomorrow, Friday September 30, 2016. One of most anticipated games is the opening match between Jordan and Spain that is completely sold out. This is the first World Cup game in the Middle East, and the Jordan Football Association has invited 300 Syrian refugee children to experience this historical event. The U17 tournament features 16 teams divided into four groups. There will be 24 group stage games played in four venues located in three different cities. 

Tournament schedules and information can be located at:

http://www.fifa.com/u17womensworldcup/

The games will be televised in the USA at: 

http://www.foxsoccer2go.com

Welcome to Jordan!

Greetings from Jordan,

We arrived safely to Amman, Jordan.  The experience so far has been top class from the organizational greetings, transportation, food and accommodations.  The 2016 U17 Women's World Cup is a historical event as it is the first FIFA World Cup event held in the Middle East. The Jordanian people have welcomed us with open arms.

We have settled in quickly and are asking our bodies to adjust to the 7 hour (Katy) and 10 hour (Katja and Deleana) time difference. The first full day included a classroom session with introductory meetings as well as a video quiz.  We then had an evening fitness session at the university fields. The referees completed the dynamic yo-yo test on the field, with an expected standard of 18.5, and the assistant referees completed the ARIET to the 14.5-3 standard. These are on field fitness checks that replicate movements we do in the game. 

The next four days will largely consist of two parts: morning classroom sessions, and the afternoon/evening practical field sessions.  We will have a team of local university players to provide us with game-like situations.  The overall goal of the seminar is to develop consistency and uniformity in preparation for the first day of matches. 

Heading to the U17 Women's World Cup

Greetings! As Katja, Katy and I prepare for the U17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan, we hope that you’ll join us along the way. For all three of us, this is our first FIFA tournament; we’re very excited for this opportunity to represent our country!

We’ve been very busy for the past couple of months in preparations. One of the first steps was to successfully pass the fitness test. We took the new fitness test with World Cup standard requirement. For Katja, this involved six 40m sprints and 10 laps of 75m/25m intervals. For Katy and I, we had an extra component to the test – a test of agility and ability to change direction, a critical ability for assistant referees. This test involved a series of sprinting and side stepping in different directions. Then we ran five 30m sprints, and 10 laps of 75m/25m intervals.

In the months leading up to the tournament, we had multiple opportunities to work together on matches. With each game, we focused not only the game decisions, but also on refining our communications (both verbal and nonverbal) and working together as a team, and how to support each other so that we succeed together. We found that we improved each time.

The tournament officially begins on September 30 . The referees will arrive on September 24, for a week of technical training, fitness, and instruction. We are excited to arrive in Jordan and start this journey!

Article from US Soccer

http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2016/08/30/18/43/160830-referee-three-us-officials-appointed-to-fifa-u17-womens-world-cup-Jordan

Three U.S. Officials Appointed to Referee at 2016 U-17 Women's World Cup

CHICAGO (Aug. 30, 2016) – FIFA has named the match officials who will work the 2016 Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan and three officials will represent the United States.

Referee Ekaterina (Katja) Koroleva will be joined by assistant referees Kathryn Nesbitt and Deleana Quan. Koroleva was one of three CONCACAF referees named while Nesbitt and Quan were among six assistant referees named from four different CONCACAF nations.


In total, FIFA named 16 referees and 28 assistant referees, all of them female.


“I’m grateful for the opportunity to officiate at my first FIFA tournament,” Koroleva said. “Kathryn Nesbitt, Deleana Quan and I have been preparing for top level competition and we’re all very excited to get to Jordan and continue our journey.”


Koroleva became a FIFA referee in 2014. She has worked numerous men’s games in the USL since receiving her FIFA badge and has worked 24 NWSL games since 2014, culminating with running the middle in the championship match in 2015.


Nesbitt became FIFA AR in 2016. She has since passed the men’s fitness test which allows her to work Major League Soccer matches and has worked 19 MLS games since 2015. Quan also earned her FIFA badge in 2016. She has officiated 18 NWSL games since 2013 and was also selected to represent U.S. Soccer at the 2016 CONCACAF U-17 Women’s Championship last match in Grenada.