1: the period between early July and early September when the hot sultry weather of summer usually occurs in the northern hemisphere

2: a period of stagnation or inactivity

Over the past year or so, we have been keeping a regular schedule with our Internet magazine, Down-the-Line.

However, after World Cup 2002, we decided that it would be a good idea to let people (including our regular contributors!) get outside, kick a ball around and enjoy the summer, before gearing up for the fall season.

So here we are after a little siesta.

It is a new season and it has been an eventful and exciting summer of World Cup play. Not just the Korea/Japan World Cup 2002, which was great, but also the first-ever World U19 Women’s finals, which were nothing short of sensational -- especially when you consider the interest created in Canada and the United States. 47,000 fans took in the final game at the Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton that the United States won in a squeaker 1 – 0 against Canada. The TV audience in Canada was the largest in the history of Canada's SportsNet and that includes hockey and football.

So this issue looks back on the 2002 World Cup and to the new season now under way all over North America and in Europe.

We had some interesting Letters to the Editor with some excellent suggestions for the further development of DTL.

As well, have a look at Bob Evans controversial summary of the refereeing at WC 2002. We’ve “disclaimed” it, but enjoyed it.

Vern Gambetta’s article on his observations of the fitness levels of the men’s World Cup will make you think.

As usual, we have our cadre of excellent contributors -- Mick Hoban, Chris Groot, Dan Friegang, World Class Coaching, Brad Odsen, Keith Hardisty and Rob Walker – to make sure that we have something of interest for everyone involved in community soccer. And we welcome our newest writer, Joseph Aquilina, former Malta National team player and a EUFA “A” licence coach.

Enjoy and let us know your thoughts.

Tony