For the love of the game

Two northeast Winnipeggers will be calling the beautiful game at the Canada Games in August.
Graham Forsyth and Peter A. Manastyrsky Jr. are national level certified assistant referees with the Canadian Soccer Association who will be officiating as the country’s best U18 boys battle it out.

"Being involved in any sort of national competition is an honour and privilege," said Manastyrsky, who has been assistant reffing at the national level now for six years, and was involved in the Canada Games in Sherbrooke, Que., in 2013. "To be part of Canada Games for a second time, I think it’s a good accomplishment."

"I’m excited for the whole atmosphere, really," said Forsyth, who is new to the national assistant reffing game this year. "The last go around for Canada Games, I watched one of Peter’s games on TV. It was cool to see a local guy doing these kind of games. It looked like something I wanted to be a part of."

Both Manastyrsky and Forsyth started playing soccer as kids, and got into reffing as a way to make some money on the side. Eventually, they developed a passion for officiating.

"You’re always learning the game, always having to educate yourself," Manastyrsky said. "You’re watching clips, learning stuff, reviewing game videos, learning from your colleagues. Every game is different."

"Putting yourself into an environment where you have to draw everything from yourself to be ready for the game, making sure you’re in the right frame of mind to make those decisions, it really requires all of you, both physically and mentally," Forsyth added.

At the national level, officials are expected to train daily, and take part in regular fitness testing.

"There are a lot of eyes watching you, but it’s fun," said Manastyrsky, who has officiated four North American Soccer League games so far this season in Edmonton.

"Before the match, we’re always talking and communicating," Forsyth said. "If someone has seen the team before, how they play, how that might affect us. If they prefer a possession game, or long ball, that affects us and how we position ourselves, what we should expect."
However, with the Canada Games, each squad coming into the tournament will be new.

"There’s not a lot of information on the teams to prep," Manastyrsky said. "(But) the competition is U18, so it will be a lot quicker, which means we have to step up our game to keep up. The biggest thing to be ready is to train in the hot humidity."

The men’s soccer tournament at the Canada Games takes place at the Ralph Cantafino Soccer Complex (900 Waverley St.) from Aug. 7 to 12. For more information, visit canadagames.ca/2017/content/soccer