All sanctioned in-person soccer events and activities for the month of May have been cancelled or postponed

Ontario Soccer has announced, as a further follow-up to the Ontario Soccer and Canada Soccer announcements of March 12 and March 13, as well as the Ontario Soccer announcement of March 24, that all sanctioned in-person soccer events and activities for the month of May have been cancelled or postponed. 

This decision will affect the start of the spring portion of the 2020 Outdoor Season for the Local, Regional, District, Provincial, OASL, OPDL and all other leagues across Ontario. 

For those who may be concerned about registering for the abridged outdoor season, Ontario Soccer is encouraging participants to do so now, so that Districts, Clubs and Academies can be fully prepared to kick off the Return to Play season when announced. 

Click here to read the full announcement. 

Ontario Soccer has received additional questions from the membership, since the first COVID-19 frequently asked questions (FAQ) was released on March 16, 2020, followed by the second COVID-19 FAQ on March 23, 2020.

The FAQ #3 addresses questions from the membership on the Provincial Indoor Soccer League season, Club Nationals, Emergency wage subsidy, refunds and lots more.

REMINDER – 2020 Ontario Cup Registration Deadline has been extended until April 22

The Ontario Cup Entry Deadline, which was April 1, 2020, has been extended to April 22, 2020. 

The Ontario Cup entry fee deadline has also been extended to May 11, 2020. 

Please note that should the 2020 Ontario Cup not be played, all teams that have entered will receive a full refund. 

Click here for more information on how to register. 

Bored at home? Take these online coaching courses

Not sure what to do with yourself during the COVID-19 shutdown? Why not continue your coaching education during the break so that you can come back sharp? 

Ontario Soccer has compiled a list of online coaching courses which can be taken at your pace and from home. 

Click here for the list of Online Coaching Courses. 

WATCH – The goalkeeping session at Ontario Soccer Summit

The Ontario Soccer Summit 2020 may be over but the learning opportunities will continue for the next month. 

Ontario Soccer is releasing select videos from keynote speeches, technical sessions and panel discussions. 

Today, we are sharing the on field session from Marius Roevde. A professional goalkeeping coach and Executive Director of Richmond FC, Roevde took guests through a detailed and informative goalkeeping technical presentation which is sure to spark the interest of any goalkeeper and goalkeeping coach. 

Click here to watch the session. 

Click here to take Ontario Soccer’s Online Goalkeeping Coach Certificate.

Grassroots Spotlight Series – The Move to Online

While the COVID-19 pandemic may have temporarily halted soccer for the foreseeable future that has not stopped our Districts, Clubs and Academies across the province from delivering the sport to its stakeholders, while adhering to physical distancing requirements. 

From online social media skill challenges and fitness classes to technical sessions and virtual team meetings or social gatherings, Ontario Soccer members have engaged players, coaches and parents with diverse activities that have produced great results and yielded new dimensions. 

Click here for a highlight reel of a few of the many members organizations that have led the way. 

A COVID-19 FAQ for Match Officials

Ontario Soccer has received additional questions from the membership regarding match officials. 

This FAQ includes information for match officials on refunds, futsal registration, upgrading and lots more. 

Click here to read the Match Official FAQ. 

Update of online delivery of Match Official Accreditation Clinics 

The Ontario Soccer Match Officials Development Program team has been working diligently towards a solution that will benefit all Clinic Hosts and Participants for the 2020 Clinic season, given the current COVID-19 pandemic that is impacting the province and country. 

As such, all accreditation is moving to an online delivery method. Material for the online delivery is currently in development, with an aim to launch by early May. 

Click here for more information. 

WATCH – Willie McNab’s on-field session at Ontario Soccer Summit

The Ontario Soccer Summit 2020 may be over but the learning opportunities will continue for the next month. 

Ontario Soccer is releasing select videos from keynote speeches, technical sessions and panel discussions. 

Today, we are sharing Willie McNab’s engaging on-field session giving attendees a look at the ‘Celtic Way.’ 

Click here to watch this session.

WATCH – Dr. Nick Bontis’ session from Ontario Soccer Summit

The Ontario Soccer Summit 2020 may be over but the learning opportunities will continue for the next month. 

Ontario Soccer is releasing select videos from keynote speeches, technical sessions and panel discussions. 

Today, hear from Dr. Nick Bontis, the Vice-President of Canada Soccer, on how he sees the game moving forward in Canada, what we can do better at a grassroots level and how to deal with information bombardment in the digital age. 

Click here to watch the Dr. Nick Bontis session from Ontario Soccer Summit. 

WATCH – The Road to 2026 panel discussion

The Ontario Soccer Summit 2020 may be over but the learning opportunities will continue for the next month. 

Ontario Soccer is releasing select videos from keynote speeches, technical sessions and panel discussions. 

Hear from some of the sport’s biggest leaders in Canada on where the game is going, what we can do on the Road to 2026 and the impact hosting a World Cup will have on Canada.

WATCH – Dr. Norm O’Reilly’s keynote speech on sport data 

Click here to watch.

The Ontario Soccer Summit 2020 may be over but the learning opportunities will continue for the next month. 

Ontario Soccer is releasing select videos from keynote speeches, technical sessions and panel discussions. 

Dive into Dr. Norm O’Reilly’s keynote speech where he looks at the sport trends of today and tomorrow and goes deep on data and who is moving the needle in sports. 

Click here to watch Dr. Norm O’Reilly’s keynote speech. 

WATCH – Kelly Murumets keynote on the female leaders in sport

The Ontario Soccer Summit 2020 may be over but the learning opportunities will continue for the next month. 

Ontario Soccer will be releasing videos from select keynote speeches, technical sessions and panel discussions over the coming weeks. 

Plunge back into the keynote speech of Kelly Murumets, the former CEO of Tennis Canada and CEO and ParticipACTION spoke about her high-level career in sport as a female leader and a variety of wise tidbits to take back to their communities. 

Click here to watch Kelly Murumets Ontario Soccer Summit keynote speech.

Player Development Program Updates for OPDL and OASL

In light of recent developments with COVID-19, Ontario Soccer has made the decision, in consultation with the OPDL License Holders, to postpone the start of the OPDL season, which was scheduled to start April 24.  Further, Ontario Soccer has also made the decision, in consultation with the OASL League Management, to postpone the start of the OASL SAAC Heritage Division, which was scheduled to start April 24 as well.  Click here for more information on this decision.

Player Registration Deadline extended for Youth Provincial / Regional Divisions Ontario Soccer, in consultation with the membership, have decided to extend the minimum player registration deadline from April 15 deadline to April 30.  Ontario Soccer hopes this will alleviate the pressure on administrators at this time.  Click here for more information.

The Play Inspire Unite Podcast – Featuring: Johnny Misley and Peter Augruso The Play Inspire Unite Podcast is an interview series that features conversations with influential people from within Ontario Soccer and the Ontario Soccer membership. Discussing issues which impact the province, it’s designed to highlight the work of those who are showing us to Play, Inspire and Unite others in our community. This week we are joined by Johnny Misley, Ontario Soccer Chief Executive Officer and Peter Augruso, Ontario Soccer President and Chair of the Board of Directors, for a special State of the Union podcast where they cover important initiatives in 2020, Ontario Soccer’s Road to 2026, challenges in the Northern Districts, futsal and lots more. Click here to watch the full podcast.

WATCH – Ontario Soccer Strategic Plan: Reflections and Ambitions Ontario Soccer announced its 2019-2021 Strategic Plan early in 2019.  At the Ontario Soccer Summit, delegates got a first look back on the recent successes at Ontario Soccer and a deeper dive into the areas Ontario Soccer will target over the next three years.  Click here to watch the Ontario Soccer Strategic Plan: Reflections and Ambitions.

Rowan’s Law Mandatory Implementation

The Province of Ontario, at the present time, is the only province in Canada to enact Concussion Safety legislation throughout its sport system. 

‘Rowan’s Law’ received Royal Assent on March 7, 2018, and Section 5 of the Act, proclaiming a ‘Rowan’s Law Day’ was the only section that came into effect at that time. 

However, in 2019, the remaining parts of the Act and the regulation have now come into effect in phases. 

Click here to read more about Rowan’s Law and your organization’s responsibility from it.

Ontario Soccer has added an additional page to its website where regular updates and changes to OSCAR can be found for those who are active in using the registration platform on a more consistent basis. 

Recently, there have been updates, support insights, tip of the week and spotlight on an Ontario club.  

Click here to read more about OSCAR and how to find updates.