Ontario Soccer Association – The Ontario Soccer Association presented match officials with awards of distinction, as money raised will go to life-saving defibrillators to be placed at soccer fields 

Oct. 3, 2016 | Vaughan, ON – The Ontario Soccer Association (OSA), in partnership with Toronto FC, presented 18 District Spirit of the Game Awards, as well five Provincial awards to match officials on Saturday, to those who had gone above and beyond in their duties.

The awards, presented at BMO Field as part of Match Official Appreciation Day at the Toronto FC game, were an expansion of a Toronto Soccer Referee Association initiative, which debuted in 2015 and successfully raised funds to purchase defibrillators for soccer fields.

Tickets to this year’s event raised $5,000, which once again will be used to purchase life-saving defibrillators that will be placed at select soccer fields.

“I’m very proud of our match official’s community for coming together for an event like this and supporting one another,” said Nicky Pearson, OSA Manager of Match Official Development. “The winners here today are a reflection of their own hard work, as well as the clubs, districts and regions that support their development.”

The event, which put a spotlight on the province’s best officials, is one that will continue to grow and expand in the years ahead.

“It’s important for our province to honour and recognize the hard work that our match officials put into the game in Ontario,” said Johnny Misley, Executive Director of the Ontario Soccer Association. “These officials have been terrific servants of our game and we’re proud to recognize their achievements.”

Visit OntarioSoccer.net for about the Match Officials Appreciation Day award winners and to find out more about the awards.

Media Contact – Photos and interviews are available to all media upon request

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

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 professional-amateur men’s and women’s league as well as the Ontario Player Development League (OPDL).

The Ontario Soccer Association
Phone: (905) – 264-9390 | Fax: (905) 264-9445