Canada Soccer has announced a call for nominations to its newly minted Canada Soccer Nation Champions program presented by Toyota. The program will be part of Canada Soccer’s year-end Awards season and will honour individuals that have made a difference in their community at the grassroots level of the game. In 2020, Canada Soccer Nation Champions nominations seek grassroots volunteers whose support enabled a safe return-to-soccer under Canada Soccer’s Return-to-Soccer Guidelines over the past year.

“The support of grassroots volunteers has long been a strength of the Canadian soccer system, and in the face of the challenges of a global COVID-19 pandemic, it is natural that the inaugural Canada Soccer Nation Champions presented by Toyota be selected from nominees that were pivotal in supporting the protocols put in place for a safe Return-to-Soccer,” said Nick Bontis, Canada Soccer President. “In addition, this newly introduced annual honour will provide a platform for Canada Soccer to annually acknowledge the contributions of those who make a meaningful contribution to the safety, security, welcoming, and developmentally appropriate grassroots soccer environments that exist in Canada from coast-to-coast-to-coast.”

After announcing the suspension of all sanctioned soccer in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada Soccer, led by its Medical Committee and in collaboration with its Member Associations, set forward its Return-to-Soccer Guidelines in support of the development of Public Health protocols guiding the safe return to in-person training and soccer activity. Member Organizations across the country were guided by the protocols developed and as such were required to facilitate a soccer experience in consideration of the safety measures required to ensure safe sport. Canada Soccer launched Canada Soccer Nation Champions presented by Toyota in recognition of the extraordinary circumstances and corresponding requirements.

Nominations for Canada Soccer Nation Champions are open as of 24 November 2020 to Member Organizations from each of Canada Soccer’s 13 Provincial and Territorial Member Associations and close at midnight ET 13 December 2020. Member Organization clubs and academies can nominate as many volunteers as they would like for the Canada Soccer Nation Champions presented by Toyota campaign.  It should be noted that candidates will be vetted to ensure that all of Canada Soccer’s Safe Sport Roster considerations are met including a valid background check, up-to-date Respect Group, Inc. training credentials, and the Member Organization being a member in good standing of a Canada Soccer Member Association.

Canada Soccer will announce its 2020 Canada Soccer Nation Champions presented by Toyota on 22 December 2020 via CanadaSoccer.com and across Canada Soccer’s social media platforms. To nominate a volunteer, please visit: www.canadasoccer.com/champions

MEDIA CONTACTS

Brad FougereCorporate Communications | Communications corporatives
bfougere@canadasoccer.com
m. +1 613.299.1587

Richard Scott
National Teams Program | Programme de l’équipe nationale
rscott@canadasoccer.com
m. +1 613.818.0305