Today the McDonald’s Kanga Cup is excited to announce their partnership with the world’s largest international refereeing network Tournaments Abroad ahead of the competition from July 7 to July 12. Tournaments Abroad will send three international match officials to Canberra to participate in the McDonald’s Kanga Cup Referee Youth Academy (KCRYA), marking the first time the organisation has reached Australian shores.
“While we have welcomed Australian referees before [in China, but also Europe and the USA], we feel we could work more with Australian officials by getting involved with the McDonald’s Kanga Cup, which is known worldwide as Australia’s best and biggest tournament,” Co-Founder of Tournaments Abroad Daniele Curico said.
“We are also fascinated by the Referee Academy project, which is inspired by the same principles of our own International Referee Academy.”
Partnering with the largest youth football tournament in the southern hemisphere was the next step for the non-profit, who have been spreading their core values of cooperation, friendship and referee education all around the world.
“I used to go myself as a referee, and so did Matthew [Day], TA’s co-founder,” said Curico.
“We experienced first-hand the benefits that came from participating in these events, and we thought it would be positive to allow other young, up-and-coming referees to benefit from the same experience.”
“Referees also get the opportunity of comparing refereeing styles, working with officials and observers from all around the world, visiting new places and making new friends from different countries and backgrounds,” he added.
Last year’s McDonald’s Kanga Cup saw 41 referees from all over Australia and the world participate, and Head of Referees Adam Powers is excited for the opportunities the new partnership will bring to match officials in the region and overseas.
“I’m looking forward to welcoming our new friends at Tournaments Abroad to the McDonald’s Kanga Cup,” he said.
“I’m excited for the unique knowledge and insight that they will share not only within the KCRYA but with our local ACT match officials as well.”
“Both Daniele and I are very keen to evolve this new partnership, particularly in providing ACT and KCRYA match officials with further opportunities of learning and improving outside of their local Football Federation or Referee Association.”
The KCRYA is full for 2019, but if you’re interested in other refereeing opportunities with the McDonald’s Kanga Cup please contact Head of Referees Adam Powers at adam.powers@capitalfootball.com.au.