Vaughan, ON – Ontario Soccer recognizes its responsibility to be a leader in promoting diversity and inclusion in sport and combating racism.

To this end, the Ontario Soccer Board of Directors has recently approved a Diversity Advisory Sub-Committee, with a role to recommend to the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, strategies focused on policy, programming and promotional initiatives that educate and raise awareness around diversity and discrimination in soccer. 

“With recent global attention surrounding racism and discrimination in society, our sport of soccer has a profound opportunity to stand up and take action,” said Peter Augruso, President and Chair of the Ontario Soccer Board of Directors. “Soccer is a sport that should lead the way against discrimination. We welcome any and all who want to play and it is our responsibility to ensure those values are reflected on and off the pitch.”

At this time, Ontario Soccer is seeking volunteers, from its membership, who are interested in serving on this new committee.

Attached please find the Diversity Advisory Sub-Committee Terms of Reference outlining the role and function of the committee and composition of members.

For interested individuals, please send your expression of interest in writing, along with your personal bio/resume to Eva Havaris, Chair, Nominations Committee on, or before, July 10, 2020.

For more information or questions, please contact Eva Havaris.

About Ontario Soccer

Founded in 1901, Ontario Soccer is comprised of more than 650 Clubs and Private Academies servicing over 24,000 teams with 380,000 registered players, 70,000 coaches and managers, and 10,000 match officials, as well as countless volunteers, parents and supporters comprising a direct, multi-cultural community of over 1,000,000 Ontarians.

Ontario Soccer 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. Ontario Soccer also operates the Ontario Player Development League (OPDL) – the province’s premier standards based youth development program and proudly supports Canada Soccer’s National Teams, the Canadian Premier League and Toronto FC.

An overall goal of Ontario Soccer is to assist with the development of soccer as a healthy lifestyle choice, provide a talented pathway for players to excel and encourage community involvement at all levels.

Media Contact 

Ben Rycroft | Senior Manager, Digital Strategy and Communications 
Ontario Soccer | brycroft@ontariosoccer.net | 905-264-9390 x 255