June 8th, 2009
The Vancouver Area Soccer Referees Association will be having a special education session at their next monthly meeting on Monday, June 29th at the Bonsor Community Center in Burnaby (South Burnaby Metro Club Room) to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the game that Werner Winsemann refereed at the 1974 World Cup. Starting time is 7pm.
Werner Winsemann is a Founding Member of the BCSRA and is the only Canadian FIFA Referee to have refereed a World Cup game (Holland v Sweden). This was his first of 2 appointments to the World Cup. Werner also appointed to 2 Olympic games: 1972 Munich and 1976 Montreal.
A package of highlights will be facilitated by CSA National Assessor/Instructor and former FIFA Referee Bob Sawtell showing the differences in how the game has changed. Werner will be present to answer any questions you may have.
All interested parties should RSVP VASRA President Marc Bowley (604-278-9302 or marcbowley@primus.ca).
May 29th, 2009
Nick Hawley elected as new Vice-President. Christian Gayger ratified as Interior Director.
May 23rd saw the membership celebrate the 40th anniversary of the formation of the association at the Cloverdale Curling Club. In attendance were six founding members of the association (from the photo L-R: Robert Butler, J. Peter Turner, John W.A. Morris, Werner Winsemann, Reginald A.J. Clark, Norm Colclough,, who were roundly applauded by those in attendance. A great time was had by all.
A new executive was elected as follows:
President: Elvio Chies
Vice-President: Nick Hawley (elected to a 2 year term)
Secretary: Richard Brownie
Treasurer/Registrar: Robin Woods (elected to a 2 year term)
Area Association-appointed Directors:
Christian Gayfer (Interior), Ron Schaeffer (Van. Area)
No name was received prior to the meeting for Fraser Valley-appointed Director. The Van. Island Area Association had not confirmed the name of Larry Cade as VISRA-appointed Director prior to the meeting.
Lastly, the annual Jack Tinnion Memorial Shield Match was declared a forfeit to the 604 side (the 250’s could not muster a team for the annual friendly).
April 5th, 2009
A row is brewing between Premier League referees and the Football Association following their decision to overturn goalkeeper Brad Friedel’s red card at Liverpool. 
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Brad Friedel was sent off against Liverpool. The Professional Game Match Officials Board, who represent football’s leading officials, have written to the FA to demand an explanation.The Aston Villa keeper was sent off by Martin Atkinson for fouling Fernando Torres in the penalty area during the Reds’ 5-0 romp on Sunday and the referees argue that under the laws of the game a straight red card was the correct decision.However, the FA have taken the view that Friedel was trying to get out of the way when he turned his back to Torres an instant before giving the penalty away.A Premier League spokesman confirmed that the PGMO had written to the FA seeking an explanation over the U-turn.“The PGMO have sought clarification from the FA on the reasons why the appeal panel found against the referee,” the Premier League spokesman said.“Through a letter to the FA the PGMO just want to be sure to get all the detail on why the appeal panel found the way they did.“Throughout the season you’ve got a number of different appeals that go forward and it’s important the referees get to the bottom of precisely why the panel will have found in the way it did.”Friedel would normally have served a one-game ban for Villa as a result of the red card and missed the clash against Manchester United on Sunday week, but the 37-year-old will now add to his tally of 182 consecutive league appearances.The Daily Mail reported on Wednesday that senior referees claim to be “disappointed and confused” by the FA’s decision to overturn the red card.
