How to combat jet-lag after long-distance during the FFA Cup campaign

Liam Watson

With the FFA Cup underway, jet-lag is often the problem for soccer clubs and executive teams to deal with, as sleeping patterns get thrown around.

There may not be an exact treatment for jet-lag, but there are ways to effectively reduce its affects.

In Australia, there could be up to a 3 hour time difference between states, meaning performance could be hampered if there isn’t the luxury of recovering either side of traveling.

Planning ahead is always a good way of dealing with the drain of jet-lag, and there are many ways that you adjust quickly to a fresh environment.

Before traveling:

  • Get into a different sleeping pattern by going to sleep in line with the new timezone.
  • Find ways to relax before going to bed.
  • Avoid heavy meals as they increase sleep drive and make it difficult to stay awake.

During the flight:

  • Drink plenty of water – this ensures you stay alert.
  • If it’s currently overnight at the destination, go to sleep.
  • If awake, stay active with stretching and regularly walking around the cabin.
  • Do not drink caffeine or alcohol – that makes jet-lag worse.

After you arrive:

  • Match up with the sleeping schedule as quickly as possible.
  • Use an alarm so that there’s no oversleeping in the morning.
  • Go outside in daylight hours – natural light helps the body clock adjust.
  • Do not go to sleep until a reasonable hour when everyone else normally sleeps for the destination.

It can be tough to deal with jet-lag, but following the above steps should hold you in good stead if you’re doing long-distance travel.

If prepared in advance, you won’t feel the pinch as much as it may seem.

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Isabella Mossin awarded Ninja A-League Women Referee of the Year

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Image credit: Football NSW

The youngest recipient since its inception, Mossin will officially receive the award after leading the Ninja A-League Grand Final 2026 on Saturday.

 

A rapid rise

After debuting in 2023, Mossin has quickly proved quality, composure and confidence as a referee in the Ninja A-League.

As a result of the achievement, Mossin will be the appointed referee for this weekend’s Grand Final between Melbourne City FC and Wellington Phoenix.

After beginning in the North West Sydney Football Association, Mossin then honed her craft with the Football NSW Referee Academy, a journey with foundations truly embedded in youth development and grassroots football.

Thus, Mossin is not just am individual success story, but a symbol of what institutional investment and opportunities can do for young women looking for a pathway to the game.

 

Celebrating success

The plaudits, unsurprisngly, are arriving from across Australia’s football landscape, with many emphasising the incredible standards set by Mossin since her debut just three years ago.

“This award is testament to Isabella’s hard work and dedication to refereeing, and a great reflection of the next generation of referees coming through the system in Australia,” said A-Leagues CEO, Steve Rosich.

“At just 25 years of age, she has consistently demonstrated composure, leadership, strong decision-making and the ability to perform under pressure in some of the biggest matches in the competition,” highlighted Football Australia Head of Referees, Jon Moss.

“Having someone refereeing their first Ninja A-league Women’s Grand Final at the age of 25 years should inspire all girls and young women referees (and potential referees) and show them that age is not a barrier to talent being recognised within Football Australia refereeing,” said Chair of Football Australia Referee Committee, David Elleray.

Given Mossin’s reputation and experience already at the top level of women’s football in Australia, there is no doubt that she will rise to the occasion this Saturday.

Female Football Week kicks off across Northern NSW

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Image Credit: Shutterstock

Female Football Week has officially begun across Northern NSW, with a program of gala days, networking events and awards ceremonies running until Sunday May 17, marking a ten-day celebration that organisers say reflects both the growth of women’s football in the region and the work still required to sustain it.

The national initiative, now a fixture on the football calendar, provides a dedicated period of visibility for female participants across all levels of the game from players, coaches, referees to volunteers, whose contributions have historically received less recognition than their male counterparts.

NNSWF Participation and Women’s Football Officer Serena Carter said the week offered something for everyone connected to women’s football in the region.

“Female Football Week provides a fantastic chance to highlight the dedication and skill of female players, coaches, referees and volunteers across the northern NSW community,” Carter said. “There’s something for everyone to enjoy, from grassroots participants to elite competitors.”

Women’s football in northern NSW spans remote and regional communities where clubs operate on limited resources, alongside more established metropolitan programs with clearer development pathways. Female Football Week creates a moment of shared recognition across that spectrum and acknowledges the role volunteers play, from running the canteen to progressing through the pathway.

Northern NSW Football has recorded some of its strongest participation numbers in women’s and girls’ football in recent seasons, a trend that has placed increasing pressure on clubs and facilities to keep pace. The week’s events offer clubs an opportunity to showcase their commitment to diversity and inclusion at a time when that commitment is being tested by growth.

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