Sydney, Australia
Information for Overseas Visitors
This information is provided primarily for visiting soccer referees.
Introduction
Sydney is the largest city in Australia with a population of 3.7 million. It is the largest city in the South Pacific region and one of the world's busiest seaports. It is the gateway to Australia for most overseas visitors. Sydney will be host to many international events including the 2000 Olympic Games.
Basic Visitor Info
- Language: English
- Currency: One Australian Dollar = 100 cents
Currency Exchange Rates:
All major credit cards are widely accepted.
- Power: 240 volts 50 Hertz - 3 pin plug
- Driving: Left side of road
- Time: Sydney local time is GMT +10 hours
(From October to March daylight saving is applied when the local time becomes GMT + 11 hours)
Geography
Situated on Australia's eastern coastline, Sydney lies on a coastal plain around a drowned river valley, which forms one of the world's greatest natural harbours. Sydney is now a sprawling metropolis with a compact central business district surrounded by suburbs extending up to 50 km (30 miles) from the centre. Natural beauty abounds with great wildlife parks, mountains, beaches, rivers, valleys and fertile plains all within a couple of hours' drive.
Climate
At a latitude of 34 degress south, Sydneys climate is temperate, tending to sub-tropical in summer. April (the start of the local soccer competitions) is autumn and days are generally warm with cool nights. Some details for April:
- Average Daily Maximum: 23 deg C (73 deg F)
- Average Nightly Minimum: 15 deg C (59 deg F)
- Average Monthly Rainfall: 128 mm (5 inches)
- Average Humidity: 60%
- Average No. of Rainy Days: 12
Soccer
As it is in most countries, Soccer in Austrailia is structured at various levels, divisions within these levels and age groups within these divisions.
These are simply descibed as follows:
- National Level
The National Team (a number of these players are playing professionally overseas).
National Soccer League (NSL). Senior soccer of one division with teams from around the country.
- State Level
Within NSW the NSW Soccer Federation.
A number of Divisions of both male and female soccer.
Clubs are graded within a division and there is promotion and relegation at the end of a season with the top clubs of the top division able to advance to the National Level.
All clubs must have a first and reserve grade side within their division and for the higher divisions an Under 18 team is required.
Many Clubs also have Youth League teams for 13s, 14s, 15s and 16s. A three division competition is held for these teams. Players can utimately go on to represent their State and Country in their particular age group.
- District Level
Within NSW there are many Districts.
A number of Divisions of both male and female soccer covering from the Senior level right down to Under 6 and in some cases Over 30s and 35s.
Clubs are graded within a division and there is promotion and relegation at the end of a season.
Many Clubs are represented in more than one division at any one age group.
Many Clubs that have teams at the State Level are also represented at the District Level
Soccer is also played in the schools with their own competitions.
Refereeing
The Referee Associations are completely independant to the Soccer Associations though they work very closely with them. Nearly all the districts have a Referees' Association. (eg. NDSRA). This is where new referees would start out (minimum age 14). Referees over 18 can also join the NSW Federation and officiate at State Level matches. From here they can be selected for the NSL Panel and ultimately the FIFA Panel.District Associations are asked to cover district games, Youth League games and often Federation (State Level) games (due to shortage of Federation referees).
Referees gradings are as follows:
- Class I (Highest grading requiring further theory exam and 2 more field tests plus min. 2 years ClassII)
- Class II (Requiring theory exam and 2 field tests plus min. 2 years ClassIII)
- Class III (18 years of age and over)
- Class IV (Cadet referees age 14 to 17 inclusive)
Visiting Referees who wish to officiate over here should bring with them a letter of introduction from their home association which states there grading, ability and levels of matches undertaken. They should then firstly deal with the local District Association in the area that they are visiting. Send me an E-Mail for further information.
Eating Out
Bistros, restaurants and cafes offer varied menus, prices and decor. Australia's multicultural population is reflected in the wide variety of excellent restaurants offering a diversity of cuisine from around the world. Local seafood delicacies are recommended and are delicious when accompanied by Australian wines, many of which have won major international awards. At some restaurants you can keep the liquor bill down by taking your own wine or beer. These are called "BYO" restaurants, the acronym for "bring your own".
Transport
- Monorail: links all parts of Darling Harbour complex with centre of the CBD
- Trains: Subway links all parts of the CBD inluding Circular Quay
Suburban trains connect to suburban areas including Kings Cross and way out west.
- Ferries: link Circular Quay with harbourside locations including Darling Harbour, Zoo and Manly.
- Buses: run throughout CBD and into suburban areas including Bondi Beach.
- Taxis: run everywhere.
The CBD
Sydney's Central Business District covers an area about 3km (2miles) square and is roughly divided into several zones:
- Retail sector
- Business sector
- Parks and Gardens
- The Rocks and Circular Quay
- Chinatown
- Darling Harbour
Nearby to the east is Kings Cross - Sydney's colourful night spot.
Major Attractions
Sydney Opera House
Sydney's most famous landmark. Easily accessible by a pleasant 10 minute walk from Circular Quay or bus right to the door.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge
"The Coathanger" is a massive steel arch that spans Sydney Harbour and links the North Shore with the CBD.
Sydney Tower
Sydney's tallest structure provides panoramic views from its observation deck as well as two revolving restaurants. It sits atop the Centrepoint Shopping Complex with its underground shopping arcades linking it to the Queen Victoria Building and Town Hall.
Darling Harbour
One of the world's most imaginative urban redevelopments, is alive with shops, restaurants, entertainment and visitor attractions. A frequent monorail service connects with the city centre and ferries connect with Circular Quay.