Ontario Soccer Association – The Canada Soccer Director of Development will speak at the March 3-5, 2017 event in Oshawa on Development of Soccer in Canada

November 22, 2016

Vaughan, Ontario – The Ontario Soccer Association is proud to announce that the first keynote speaker to be named for the Ontario Soccer Summit 2017 is Jason deVos, the Canada Soccer Director of Development. 

The former Men’s National Team member and professional player is responsible for the overall management, direction and development of coaching and grassroots development programs across Canada.

And since his retirement from professional play in 2008, he has provided expert TV analysis on footie-related programming, most recently as part of TSN’s soccer coverage.

DeVos will be an Ontario Soccer Summit keynote speaker and will be presenting on “The Development of Soccer in Canada.”

“Education is a journey, not a destination. We can all learn at an event like the Ontario Soccer Summit, where the OSA brings together some excellent presenters from around the world to deliver leading edge content,” said deVos. “By attending an event like the Ontario Soccer Summit, Ontarians will enhance their knowledge of player and coach development, leading to a better experience with the game in years to come.”

DeVos has been involved in a change management grassroots development role previously at Canada’s largest soccer club – Oakville Soccer – and been a member of various Technical Committees at the Ontario Soccer Association since 2011. He holds both a UEFA Pro License and USSF A License.

“Any opportunity to get people in a room together to discuss the issues we face in player and coach development in Canada is beneficial for us, because it gets people sharing ideas and best practices. As a nation, we must do a better job of developing players and coaches if we are to give those individuals the best chance possible to achieve their dreams within the game.”

An honoured member of The Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame, deVos is a product of Canada’s development system and a decorated Canadian international and professional player. With nearly 20 years of experience as a player including stints as captain with the Men’s National Team, Dundee United, Wigan Athletic and Ipswich Town FC, he also spent time with the Montreal Impact. Notably, deVos was a member of the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup winning squad and was named to the Canada Soccer All-Time Canada XI in 2012.

The host venue for the Ontario Soccer Summit 2017 is the Oshawa Civic Recreation Complex and Trent University and event runs March 3-5, 2017.

The Oshawa Civic Centre boasts an international FIFA size 100 metre x 70 metre artificial turf playing field that can be configured into two or four fields for on-field learning.

Trent University, which is steps from the Oshawa Civic Centre, will offer an intimate setting, which is optimal for the immersive Soccer Summit learning experience.

Tickets are now on sale for the Ontario Soccer Summit and can be purchased here. 

Early bird pricing will be available until January 6, 2017, so attendees are encouraged to act quickly to secure the best pricing.

There are reduced rates for those booking groups of 5-20 attendees and even greater discounts for those booking 20 or more.

Also, the 2017 event will feature reduced pricing for youth (under 18 years of age) attendees. In addition, Female Mentorship Program participants, Learning Facilitators and District Administrators all receive special pricing.

Check back regularly on the Ontairo Soccer Summit news page for updates on speakers, ticketing and events. 

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Media Contacts

Ben Rycroft | Ontario Soccer Association Communications Manager | 905-254-9390 ext. 255 | Email: brycroft@soccer.on.ca 

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About the Ontario Soccer Association:

Founded in 1901, The Ontario Soccer Association (OSA) is the largest provincial sports organization in Canada. Its members include more than 650 Clubs servicing over 24,000 teams with 380,000 registered players, 70,000 coaches and managers, and 10,000 match officials. The OSA develops and delivers exceptional and sustainable programs and services throughout Ontario with the mission of providing leadership and support for the advancement of soccer in collaboration and cooperation with our membership, partners and other stakeholders. The OSA also operates League1 Ontario, a provincial pro-amateur men’s and women’s league, as well as the Ontario Player Development League (OPDL).