GISOA
GEORGIA INTERCOLLEGIATE SOCCER OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION
2025 clinic featured FIFA world cup referee matthew conger
CONGER LEADS STIMULATING HOLISTIC PERSPECTIVE
8.2.25
Georgia Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association
The 2025 General Membership meeting was a lively and mentally stimulating day. Former two-time FIFA World Cup Referee, and Georgia native, Matthew Conger was the featured clinician. He shared a unique personal perspective of his journey from playing youth soccer in Athens, GA to refereeing at global FIFA competitions. He has literally flown across the world, numerous times, for soccer/football/futbol officiating! Matthew has acquired amazing insight regarding the mental preparation and cultural impact on referee crews. As the Director & Lead Facilitator of Holistic Leadership and Development Consultancy and co-founder of Total Referee Ltd., Conger shared his vision with the GISOA membership of creating a mental process for officials to maximum their group/game performance. Conger discussed Capabilities as a process outcome of Strategic Decision Making, Strategy Execution, Communication and Teamwork. He emphasized the importance of the crew working as "3 as 1. " Process goals were described and successfully measured by Teamwork, (a cohesive team), Communication (high level on the pitch), and Calm and Accurate Decision Making (a flow on effect from teamwork and communication). "Hold onto the feeling of the match."
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2025 new members announced
Thanks to the collaboration of the GISOA Board and Chris Heintzman's new member identification committee, the following new members were announced to the GISOA chapter at the 2025 Clinic.
Congratulations to:
Carlos Bacerra
Nicki Bunn
Tristan Davis
Justin Harris
Stanley Hoover
Ivan Ivastanin
Len Johnson
Lorenzo Lopez (transferee)
Andrea Menchaca
Chayla Park
Frank Peacock
Tim Priestley (transferee)
Kylie Rhodes (transferee)
Damir Setkic
Tanisha Smith
Griffin Westbrook
President Wes Williams welcomes the new 2025 GISOA members.
2025 GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
FEATURING FIFA WORLD CUP REFEREE - MATTHEW CONGER
MEMORANDUM – 7.21.25
Georgia Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association
The 2025 General Membership meeting is just under two weeks away, and we have another great session planned, with top notch training and education. I’ve packed a lot of detail into this memo; please take a moment to read thoroughly and respond accordingly.
I’m excited to announce that our sessions this year will be led by FIFA World Cup Referee Matthew Conger!
Matthew is a two-time, FIFA World Cup football referee, Director & Lead Facilitator of Holistic Leadership and Development Consultancy and co-founder of Total Referee Ltd. He refereed extensively across various professional leagues including the A-League (Australia), Chinese Super League, Saudi Pro League, USL & MLS, NZ National League, and OFC and FIFA competitions. He is passionate about developing the holistic capability of referees from grassroots to the elite level, making him an ideal presenter for our meeting.
I’m particularly proud to share that Matthew joins Corey Rockwell and Guido Gonzales as GISOA alumni who have worked on the world stage and return to Atlanta to give back to our chapter!
Our schedule this year will return to the traditional format of morning fitness testing followed by classroom sessions (lunch included). For those not familiar with Agnes Soctt College, the track is Gellerstedt Track and Field on the below-linked map. Classroom sessions will be held at The Frances Bailey Graves Auditorium, located in Campbell Hall (pin #7 on the map):
https://www.agnesscott.edu/assets/documents/general/campusmap.pdf
IMPORTANT:
Fitness testing will commence promptly at 7:00 AM. Could we start at 7:30 and still make our 9:00 classroom sessions on time? Maybe. Will we wrap up the day sooner and get more of your Saturday back to you if we start at 7:00 AM? Definitely. If you like that plan, please do these two simple things:
- Advise Larry Pachon (copied above) if you will NOT attend the fitness session AND the reason (illness/exemption/took early test) NO LATER THAN Friday, 7/25/25.
- Show up on time for your group (well in advance of the start time).
Larry will provide groupings detail once the final attendee list is determined. Locker rooms will be available as in the past. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided near the classroom.
DUES:
I’m pleased to announce that we were able to maintain the dues structure for 2025-2026 at $175 despite growing expenses, due in no small part to Kevin Biando’s diligent financial management. As in the past, please remit payment to Kevin using Venmo: @kevin-biando (last four: 3033) or Zelle: 678-469-3033. I respectfully ask each of you to make payment by our clinic date of 8/2, if possible, but I also recognize that this notice comes later than previous years. If more time is needed, please let me know.
I look forward to seeing you on Saturday, 8/2/25.
Wes Williams
President
GISOA
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